Investigation Continues in This Summer's Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Salad, CDC Declares Outbreak Over

The CDC has declared that the Cyclospora outbreak associated with Fresh Express Salad products is over.  The outbreak occurred over May through July with 701 total cases with 38 being hospitalized.  Fresh Express did conduct a recall of their branded products as well as store branded products sold at 
ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart

FDA has not conclusively found the source of the organism, although canal water is a likely source - "FDA investigated multiple farms identified in the traceback, one of which led to sampling and investigation around a farm in south Florida. FDA continues to work with the state of Florida and the local water district to try to determine the source and impact of Cyclospora that was found in the regional water management canal (C-23), located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Given the emerging nature of genetic typing methodologies for this parasite in foods and in environmental samples, the FDA has been unable to determine if the Cyclospora detected in the canal is a genetic match to the clinical cases, therefore, there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine the source of this outbreak. However, the presence of Cyclospora in a canal that had previously supplied irrigation water in the region, and specifically to a farm identified in the traceback, suggests the need for a collaborative effort..."


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
CDC announces the end of the outbreak; FDA continues its investigation.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 701
Hospitalizations: 38
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 – 7/24/2020
States with Cases: GA (1), IL (211), IA (206), KS (5), MA (1), MI (4), MN (86), MO (57), NE (55), 

ND (6), OH (7), PA (2), SD (13), WI (47)

The multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States investigated by the FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is over. The outbreak included Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. FDA’s investigation is continuing, in consultation with the state agriculture and regional water board.

Recommendations

On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled

External Link Disclaimer

 products containing either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots and displaying the product code Z178, or a lower number. The “Best by” date on the products run through July 14, 2020.

The recalled products are now well beyond expiration and likely no longer on the market or in consumers’ homes.

Investigation Update

September 25, 2020

As of September 25, 2020, CDC has announced this outbreak is over. FDA’s traceback investigation is complete, however the cause or source of the outbreak has not been determined. FDA’s investigation is continuing, in consultation with the state agriculture and regional water board.

FDA investigated multiple farms identified in the traceback, one of which led to sampling and investigation around a farm in south Florida. FDA continues to work with the state of Florida and the local water district to try to determine the source and impact of Cyclospora that was found in the regional water management canal (C-23), located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Given the emerging nature of genetic typing methodologies for this parasite in foods and in environmental samples, the FDA has been unable to determine if the Cyclospora detected in the canal is a genetic match to the clinical cases, therefore, there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine the source of this outbreak. However, the presence of Cyclospora in a canal that had previously supplied irrigation water in the region, and specifically to a farm identified in the traceback, suggests the need for a collaborative effort by state, federal and industry partners to better define the scope of the contamination and identify appropriate risk mitigation measures.