Cyclospora, Salmonella Outbreaks Grow In Georgia

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said on August 5 that two separate foodborne illness investigations now overlap for Georgia consumers: a multistate Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce and a Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños from Mexico. Georgia is listed in the distribution footprint for the recalled lettuce, while health officials have also told consumers to watch for dishes made with implicated jalapeños. Both investigations remain open, and both agencies said consumers should throw out affected produce rather than try to wash and use it. The CDC said the Cyclospora investigation has grown well beyond the initial nine-state cluster. The FDA said the Salmonella probe centers on fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to wholesalers, restaurants and food-service companies nationwide, including Mexican-style restaurants in the United States. Georgia’s Department of Public Health has not described a Georgia-only Cyclospora cluster in its public guidance, but it has warned residents since July 14 to take precautions with fresh fruits and vegetables while national investigators work to identify common sources. (cdc.gov) The agency said most Georgia Cyclospora cases are usually associated with international travel, though domestically acquired cases also occur each year. ### How large is the Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce? The CDC said on August 5 that 6,358 illnesses in 15 states are now associated with the multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The agency said at least 278 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan have been reported, with illness onset dates running from June 22 through July 31. Traceback data, the CDC said, continue to show that contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico made people sick. (dph.georgia.gov) The agency added six states to the outbreak in its latest update and said recent illnesses may still be missing from the count because it can take up to six weeks to determine whether a person is part of a Cyclospora outbreak. ### Which lettuce products reached Georgia? The FDA said Taylor Farms de Mexico announced on July 17 that it was removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. (cdc.gov) The recall included Marketside-brand “Iceberg Salad” and “Shredded Lettuce” products sold at select Walmart stores, with best-by dates from July 18 through August 3. Georgia appears in both the retail and food-service distribution lists published by the FDA. (cdc.gov) The agency said recalled food-service iceberg lettuce products were distributed in Georgia and that select Walmart stores in Georgia also sold recalled Marketside products. Consumers, restaurants and retailers that purchased or received the recalled lettuce should discard it immediately, the FDA said. (fda.gov) ### What is known about the jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak? The FDA said on August 5 that 345 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Javiana had been reported across 27 states. The agency said the illnesses were linked to jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to distributors, restaurants and food-service companies nationwide. (fda.gov) Chipotle and QDOBA both received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors, according to the FDA. Chipotle changed its jalapeño supplier for stores beginning July 20, and QDOBA stopped using jalapeños on July 28, the agency said, adding that it does not consider those chains to pose a current ongoing risk in this outbreak because the product has been removed. ### What should Georgia consumers do now? (fda.gov) The FDA said consumers who have fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, imported by Coast Citrus Distributors should not eat them and should discard frozen product if they stored it. The agency also said people should clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that touched the peppers to reduce cross-contamination. The CDC and FDA said consumers should not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico and should throw it away or return it. (fda.gov) If symptoms develop after eating shredded iceberg lettuce or dishes containing jalapeños, both agencies said people should contact a healthcare provider. ### What happens next in the investigations? The August 5 updates from the CDC and FDA said both inquiries are ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available. (fda.gov) The FDA said it is still working with Coast Citrus Distributors to determine the full distribution of the jalapeños, while federal and state investigators continue traceback work on the recalled lettuce and any additional exposures reported by sick people. (cdc.gov)