As the national cyclosporiasis outbreak continues, there was some progress in the overall investigation into how the illness started and began spreading.
Following an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying at least part of the outbreak traces back to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, along with a Food and Drug Administration announcement that one supplier of iceberg lettuce out of Mexico was used at the restaurants in question, Taco Bell said it voluntarily removed the “potentially impacted” lettuce immediately. Taylor Farms also self-reported to a degree, saying it used lettuce from an independent farm in central Mexico and has indefinitely removed all the lettuce sourced from the region as a precautionary measure.
With up to 10 cases in Lyon and Osage counties combined, Newman Regional Health Director of Infection Control Jamie Granado says there are a few steps people can take with their food while the outbreak continues — notably with lettuce.
Granado says the parasites involved “like to hide in crevices,” so that’s where people need to concentrate if they are washing their lettuce or other leafy green vegetables.
If you start feeling sick, especially if explosive diarrhea enters the picture, Granado suggests rest and hydration.
Symptoms can last up to a month, so you’re advised to get checked by a physician for possible treatment through antibiotics.
USD 253 Emporia continues its summer meal program with no changes, according to Director of Food Services David Carlson.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment has reported 55 total cases of cyclosporiasis, which is caused by a parasite and is typically connected to food or water contaminated with feces. The next update through KDHE is set to be announced Wednesday.
*Click here for information through the CDC
*Click here for information through KDHE
