Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Numbers Spike as It Spreads To Canada
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reports that the investigation of the Fresh Express Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak continues, as the CDC reports increasingly greater numbers of confirmed cases of infection. The last investigation report published by the FDA concerning the Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak, on June 28, 2020, accounted for 206 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection. As of July 8, 2020, the FDA announced that the number of confirmed cases have jumped to a total of 509, across 8 states. Furthermore, health officials report that the outbreak has even stretched across the borders of the U.S. to three provinces of Canada, Ontario (26), Quebec (10) and Newfoundland and Labrador (1).
After extensive investigation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency believes, in accord with the FDA and CDC, that the Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage, are a likely source of the outbreak. There are a total of 37 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection in Canada with only one hospitalization and 0 deaths, thus far. The onset of these illnesses occurred between mid-May and mid-June, 2020.
A few of the ill patients reported having consumed the Fresh Express bagged salad products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Nevertheless, as Cyclospora infections occur every summer in Canada, health officials are still investigating whether or not all of the cases are related to the Fresh Express bagged salad outbreak.
Health officials continue to urge consumers to be aware of the growing outbreak. Anyone still in possession of Fresh Express bagged salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage, are advised to immediately discard or return it to its original place of purchase. The FDA will continue to report new information on their website, as it is discovered.
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2020/index.html
