Parasite Sickens 9 In Minnesota After Eating McDonald’s

MINNESOTA — Hundreds of people spanning at least 15 states — including nine Minnesotans — have fallen ill from a parasitic infection after eating salads from McDonald’s, and the fast-food giant has voluntarily stopped selling them at thousands of locations.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in an update last week there have been 436 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection reported by people who ate salads from McDonald’s restaurants.

Illinois has the lion’s share of cases with 219, while Iowa and Missouri have the next highest number with 95 and 52 cases.

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Other states that have reported cases: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

At least 20 people have been hospitalized, the CDC said. No one has died. The CDC and the FDA are investigating the outbreak, along with health officials in several states. The FDA is trying to figure out the sources of the ingredients that were in the salads.

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“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that this cluster of illnesses is related to the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte fresh produce vegetable trays,” the CDC noted in its update.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea (most common), loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue.

Though not considered life-threatening, when left untreated symptoms can persist for several weeks to a month or more.

People started getting sick around May 20, health officials said. Those people ranged in age from as young as 14 years old to 91. Two-thirds of them were female.People who fell ill after June 28 might not yet have been reported.

It can take some time for people to come forward, the CDC noted. For Cyclospora infections, this can take six weeks.

Health officials say those who bought one of the pre-made salads or wraps should, obviously, not eat them.

“Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase,” the CDC wrote.If you ate one of the pre-made salads or wraps and experienced diarrhea, you should see a healthcare provider to be tested for Cyclospora infection.

McDonald’s stopped selling the salads at more than 3,000 locations nationwide in July.

“We have removed existing lettuce blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers – which includes approximately 3,000 of our U.S. restaurants primarily located in the Midwest,” McDonald’s said in a statement last month.

Of the 3,000 restaurants, at least one is located in the following states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri.

Patch national reporter Dan Hampton contributed to this article.

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