Illnesses Linked to Salads from McDonald’s over: Food and Drug Administration

Washington: The multistate outbreak of intestinal illness, likely linked to salads from McDonald’s restaurants, that affected over 500 people in the US with diarrhoea and nausea appears to be over, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. “A total of 511 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection causing diarrhoea and nausea were reported in people from 15 states and New York City who consumed salads from McDonald’s restaurants,” FDA said in a statement. However, “as of September 11, the outbreak appears to be over,” it added.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite of humans. When food or water contaminated by this parasite is consumed, it can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. The FDA, along with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), investigated distribution and supplier information for romaine and carrots but did not identify a single source or potential point of contamination for this outbreak. According to the CDC, 24 people were hospitalised but no deaths were reported. (IANS)