Outbreaks of severe foodborne illnesses, causing symptoms including “explosive diarrhea,” have soared across the country this summer. With health officials working to address continually growing outbreaks of the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis, Trump administration health officials have insisted that the U.S. food supply remains safe and that fresh produce is safe for consumers. But the Food and Drug Administration is simultaneously responding to tens of thousands of cyclosporiasis cases, which can also cause sickness and nausea, as well as outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella, both caused by bacteria.
Two deaths have been tied to outbreaks of the illness. None have been linked to E. coli or salmonella, according to public health officials. However, all of the illnesses, which are mainly caused by eating contaminated food, have forced recalls across the country.
Last month’s salmonella recall related to white and brown eggs from Midwest Poultry Services was designated a “class 1 recall” by the FDA. Class 1 refers to the agency’s highest-risk designation meant to show “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” The eggs were sold in six states, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi and New Mexico. The recalled eggs can be identified by a code number - P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184 - printed in date-coding ink on the left or right sides of the carton.
Texas was most impacted by the illness, with 73 of the 98 cases reported. There have been 26 hospitalizations tied to cases nationwide. Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections in the U.S. every year, with contaminated food as the source of most of these illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cases can lead to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, as well as more severe artery infections, arthritis and heart infections that can be fatal in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, the FDA says. Salmonella is treated with fluids and antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eggs haven’t been the only salmonella threat this summer.
Earlier this month, Coast Citrus Distributors recalled jalapeños found in pico de gallo, stuffed mushrooms and soup sold at stores in 27 states. Those states include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, the FDA says. Colorado and Minnesota have seen the majority of the 345 illnesses and 36 hospitalizations.
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