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Health Department Investigates Food-Borne Illness Outbreak
Officials urge residents experiencing symptoms to seek testing from a health care provider
Lake County, Ill. — The Lake County Health Department is working with local, state, and
federal public health officials to investigate an increase in cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection) affecting residents
of multiple counties and states.
“Since May, the
Health Department has investigated 43 cases of Cyclospora infection among Lake County residents.
This is more than 14 times higher than
the number of cases reported in 2017,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical
Epidemiologist with the Lake County Health Department. “We urge Lake County residents who are experiencing symptoms to
seek testing from a health care provider.”
Cyclospora infection may occur when a person consumes food or
water contaminated with the Cyclospora
parasite. Symptoms typically begin one to two weeks after exposure and can be
treated with specific antibiotics. If left untreated, symptoms can last weeks
to months. Cyclospora infection is
unlikely to be transmitted from person to person.
The most common
symptom of Cyclospora infection is
watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue,
loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle aches, and low-grade fever.
As of July 31, the
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported 620 cases of Cyclospora infection in Illinois. Of these, 228 people
have reported eating salads from McDonald’s restaurants and 160 attended a
private event held at the Evanston Golf Club on July 3. Some of the 43 Cyclospora cases reported in Lake County
have been linked to McDonald’s or the Evanston Golf Club event, a few have been
linked to international travel, and the remaining cases do not have an apparent
link.
On July 30, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
issued a public health alert for a recall of several premade salad and wrap
products due to potential Cyclospora
contamination. The products were distributed to Walgreens, Trader Joe’s,
Kroger, and other locations nationwide by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis,
Indiana. People who have purchased these products are urged not to consume
them, but to return or discard them. Detailed information on affected products is
available on the FSIS
website.
The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following safe fruit and
vegetable handling guidelines:
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Wash: Wash hands with soap and warm water before and
after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables. Wash cutting boards,
dishes, utensils, and counter tops with soap and hot water between the
preparation of raw meat, poultry, and seafood products and the preparation
of fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked.
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Prepare: Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under
running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Fruits and vegetables
that are labeled “prewashed” do not need to be washed again at home. Scrub
firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean
produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and
vegetables before preparing and eating.
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Store: Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and
vegetables as soon as possible, or within 2 hours. Store fruits and vegetables
away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Learn more about Cyclospora
infection and the current outbreak on the IDPH
and CDC
websites.
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