Those who try to eat healthy at Mickey D’s might want to opt for a Big Mac. According to USAToday.com, McDonald’s is currently in the process of recalling their salads from about 3,000 of their restaurants, with most being located in the Midwest. Public health officials in Illinois and Iowa have reported cases of Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal parasite, related to McDonald’s salads.
Since mid-May, 90 people in Illinois have contracted Cyclosporiasis. About 20 of those people fell ill with the parasite after eating a McDonald’s salad. And 15 Cyclosporiasis cases in relation to McDonald’s salads have been reported in Iowa since late June/early July. McDonald’s locations in both states and beyond are working closely with local public health officials, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clear up the issue.
According to the CDC website, Cyclosporiasis is more often found in “tropical or subtropical regions of the world.” But in recent years, the parasite has also been found on various imported fresh produce within the U.S.
Symptoms of infection usually show up about a week after the contaminated food is ingested. These symptoms include “watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements,” the CDC explains. One should also look out for a loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach pain, bloating, gas, nausea, and fatigue. Flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches may even appear.
There have been over 100 cases of McDonald’s salads causing infections in Iowa and Ilinois. The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Public Health have reported that the cyclospora infection has been related to the consumption of McDonald's salads. Read more: https://t.co/1h2uny1u6i pic.twitter.com/meBqQGV71M
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) July 13, 2018
If left untreated, the above symptoms can last for a few days or could even linger for up to several months. Symptoms may also go away and come back if not treated.
Iowa’s public health medical director and epidemiologist, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, told USAToday.com, “Anyone who ate these salads since the middle of June and who developed diarrhea, especially watery diarrhea and fatigue, should see their health care provider and get tested for Cyclospora to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.”
McDonald’s salads have been linked to an intestinal parasite outbreak in the Midwest that has sickened over 100 people https://t.co/5gyTdf1uJl
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 13, 2018
Officials are still looking into possible other sources the parasite may be linked to, although a connection between the sickness and McDonald’s salads has been confirmed.
If you have eaten a McDonald’s salad in recent months and have been experiencing serious stomach issues, call your doctor right away and get tested for the parasite. McDonald’s will continue to work with local health officials as the investigation continues.
