More people sickened by parasite in outbreak linked to McDonald’s salads

Emanuella Grinberg
By Emanuella Grinberg, CNN
Published 10:11 PM EDT, Thu July 19, 2018
Undercooked poultry is a main source of food poisoning, as bacteria -- such as campylobacter -- thrive if not killed by the high temperatures of cooking throughout the meat.
Undercooked poultry is a main source of food poisoning, as bacteria -- such as campylobacter -- thrive if not killed by the high temperatures of cooking throughout the meat.
Ildi Papp/shutterstock
The best way to avoid illness is to wash your hands and kitchen surfaces regularly, and cook all poultry thoroughly.
The best way to avoid illness is to wash your hands and kitchen surfaces regularly, and cook all poultry thoroughly.
It's best not to leave tasty meals out too long, because harmful bacteria flourish at room temperature.
It's best not to leave tasty meals out too long, because harmful bacteria flourish at room temperature.
Malte Christians/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
Chickens in the UK are now vaccinated against salmonella, a dangerous bacteria that can be found in raw poultry.
Chickens in the UK are now vaccinated against salmonella, a dangerous bacteria that can be found in raw poultry.
Mince meat can also become a breeding ground of bacteria. When the meat is all mixed together, any germs on the surface can spread deep within the products.
Mince meat can also become a breeding ground of bacteria. When the meat is all mixed together, any germs on the surface can spread deep within the products.
FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP/Getty Images
The uncontrollable heat and flames of a barbecue sometimes lead to uncooked burgers; always make sure they are well-done to avoid an upset stomach.
The uncontrollable heat and flames of a barbecue sometimes lead to uncooked burgers; always make sure they are well-done to avoid an upset stomach.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America
Steaks, on the other hand, stay contaminated mainly on the outside, so as long as the exterior is cooked, the meat within should be safe to eat.
Steaks, on the other hand, stay contaminated mainly on the outside, so as long as the exterior is cooked, the meat within should be safe to eat.
MIGUEL MENDEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Meat isn't the only culprit when it comes to food-related illnesses. Vegetables, fruits and nuts can also carry harmful bacteria.
Meat isn't the only culprit when it comes to food-related illnesses. Vegetables, fruits and nuts can also carry harmful bacteria.
Getty Images
Germs living on their skins, or rinds, of fruit and vegetables can contaminate the inside when you cut into them. The best practice is to wash your food before preparing it.
Germs living on their skins, or rinds, of fruit and vegetables can contaminate the inside when you cut into them. The best practice is to wash your food before preparing it.
Getty Images
Grains, such as rice, can also be a cause of food poisoning. Bacillus bacteria are commonly found in paddy fields and can have harmful effects if rice is not cooked or reheated thoroughly.
Grains, such as rice, can also be a cause of food poisoning. Bacillus bacteria are commonly found in paddy fields and can have harmful effects if rice is not cooked or reheated thoroughly.
Courtesy Tuleka Prah/My African Food Map
One in six people in the U.S. get sick from foodborne illnesses. Pictured, clostridium difficile bacteria.
One in six people in the U.S. get sick from foodborne illnesses. Pictured, clostridium difficile bacteria.
CDC
The "danger zone" is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as this is the ideal temperature range for bacteria to multiply. Pictured, salmonella growing in a Petri dish.
The "danger zone" is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as this is the ideal temperature range for bacteria to multiply. Pictured, salmonella growing in a Petri dish.
CDC
In general, food should be reheated until it's steaming hot, as this kills off germs that reappear after food has cooled. Pictured, salmonella bacteria.
In general, food should be reheated until it's steaming hot, as this kills off germs that reappear after food has cooled. Pictured, salmonella bacteria.
Courtesy of CDC.
How to avoid food poisoning
CNN  — 

More illnesses have been reported across the United States in two separate cyclospora outbreaks, federal health officials said Thursday.

In less than a week, the number of cases of reported illness from eating McDonald’s salads rose from 61 to 163.

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The US Food and Drug Administration announced the latest count on Thursday: 163 people in 10 states, which includes three hospitalizations and no deaths. The FDA is working with McDonald’s to identify the salad ingredients making people sick and to trace them through the supply chain.

As a precaution, McDonald’s has stopped selling the salads in 3,000 fast food restaurants in 14 states to try to contain the outbreak, the FDA said. The states are Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia and Missouri.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. It's seen here on a stool sample through a microscope on a slide. The parasite is too small to see without the use of a microscope. Illness is caused by consuming food or drink that contains the parasite and usually takes about a week to make a person sick.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. It's seen here on a stool sample through a microscope on a slide. The parasite is too small to see without the use of a microscope. Illness is caused by consuming food or drink that contains the parasite and usually takes about a week to make a person sick.
Melanie Moser/CDC/DPDx

More than 200 people ill from parasite in Del Monte vegetable tray recall

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 237 cases of cyclosporiasis in people who reportedly consumed Del Monte Fresh vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip. The reports came from four states, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa. Seven people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported.

A recall was issued on June 15 of 6-ounce, 12-ounce and 28-ounce trays containing those items in clear, plastic clamshell packaging. Trays have a “Best if used by” date of June 17, 2018 and were sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket, and Peapod stores in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

Health officials said there was no evidence to suggest that the cluster of illnesses linked to McDonald’s salads is related to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte Fresh vegetable trays.

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    The cyclospora parasite causes intestinal illness as a result of consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms can begin a week or more after consuming the parasite. They include diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who are infected might also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, gas and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever, body aches and flu-like symptoms can also occur.

    The symptoms, which can begin a week or more after consuming the parasite, include diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those infected can experience loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, gas and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever, body aches and flu-like symptoms can also occur.

    CNN’s Debra Goldschmidt contributed to this report.

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