More than 200 people with parasites in the Del Monte Vegetable Tray

(CNN) – An outbreak of cyclosporosis has made 212 people sick in four states since May, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Seven of these people were hospitalized.

The focus is linked to Del Monte vegetable trays with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots and dipping sauce. dill. A reminder of these 6, 12 and 28 ounce trays in clear plastic clamshell packages containing these items was released on June 15th. The trays have a date "Best if used by" of June 17, 2018 and have been sold to Kwik Travel, Kwik Star, Demond, Sentry, Potash, Meehan, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket, and Peapod Stores in the US. Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin all reported illnesses. "Both Michigan cases would have bought the vegetable platter in Wisconsin and so Michigan is not affected by this outbreak," said a statement from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Cyclosporosis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite cyclospora. People are infected by eating food or water contaminated by the parasite. Health officials at the federal, state and local levels are trying to identify the food products on the trays that are the cause and source of the contamination.

Symptoms of cyclospora include diarrhea and frequent bowel movements, sometimes explosive, according to the CDC. Those who are infected may also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, gas and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever, body aches and flu-like symptoms can also occur.

The illness can last from a few days to a few months and patients may feel better but then worsen again. Patients can be treated with antibiotics.

The first symptoms reported in this epidemic began on May 14 and the sick people are between 13 and 79 years old.

Warning in Texas
Separately, Texas health authorities are studying 56 cases of Cyclospora infection reported since the beginning of May.

"DSHS [Department of State Health Services] works with local health departments around the state and health departments in other states to see an epidemic to gather information about cases and determine whether or not they are going to work. there is a common source for infections. " the agency said in a statement.

Health care providers were asked to test any patient with diarrhea that lasts more than a few days or those with diarrhea who also suffer from fatigue and loss of appetite. "Health care providers should quickly report cases so that public health can review them and try to determine the source to prevent future cases," said the agency, which asked people with symptoms to consult a doctor.

Cyclospora generally increases during the hot summer months.

"Avoiding food or water that may have been contaminated with excreta is the best way to prevent cyclosporosis," advises the CDC to consumers. With this in mind, the agency recommends washing hands, countertops, dishes and cooking utensils with warm water and soap. It is also recommended to wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating and cooking them, just like using a paintbrush. While it can be difficult to wash the microscopic parasite, the heat of cooking kills it.

The-CNN-Wire
™ and © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.