Though Cyclospora outbreaks in the US happen less frequently than those caused by typical pathogens (e.g., E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria), the recent salad mix outbreaks occurring in July and August of this year have a familiar ring. Maybe call it déjà vu, but FE reported in July 31, 2013, on an eerily similar scourge in a news item entitled “Cyclospora outbreak traced to prepackaged salad mix.” Now, Cyclospora has FDA’s attention.
About 630 people from 25 states were infected, according to the CDC. Officials in Nebraska said the salad mix contained iceberg and romaine lettuce, red cabbage and carrots, and was sold via a national distribution chain. By the time the final tallies were made, the offending salad mixes were out of the supply chain.