Parasite Outbreak Linked to Del Monte Vegetables Sickened 212 People

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An outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Del Monte vegetables has sickened at least 212 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reports of people falling ill started on 31 May, but the CDC believes that the infection started on 14 May. The reports continued to be reported until 13 June. Patients between ages 13 and 79 years old fell ill, and seven of them were hospitalized. The CDC stated that no deaths had been reported until now.

According to a statement from the CDC on 5 June, the outbreak is linked to Del Monte vegetables. Vegetable trays of 6 ounces , 12 ounces , and 28 ounces contained fresh vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots, and dill dip).

The trays with “Best if used by” date of June 17 have been recalled on June 15. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wrote in an update that the strays were sold at the following stores in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin: Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket, and Peapod.

Michigan Not Impacted from The Outbreak

The FDA stated that the patients reporting signs of illness were from Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota:

“The two cases from Michigan reportedly purchased the vegetable tray in Wisconsin and therefore Michigan is not impacted from this outbreak.”

According to the CDC, cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.” They urge consumers to throw away the vegetable trays they have purchased from the stores.

They found out the cause of the outbreak, because:

“Most ill people reported eating pre-packaged Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip.” The CDC added that the people thought the vegetable trays in the Midwest and that “most people reported buying the trays at Kwik Trip convenience stores.”

According to the agency, they are currently investigating the matter.

Doris’s passion for writing started to take shape in college where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper. Even though she ended up working in IT for more than 7 years, she’s now back to what he always enjoyed doing. With a true passion for technology, Doris mostly covers tech-related topics.