According to a report by CNN as of Friday July 13th at least 61 people in 7 states have become ill, from an outbreak of cyclospora which have been linked to McDonald's salads .

The cyclospora parasite causes intestinal illness as a result of consuming contaminated food or water. These symptoms, may not even occur until a week or more after consuming the item containing the parasite. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  symptoms are as follows:

  • Watery diarrhea (most common)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Cramping
  • Bloating
  • Increased gas
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue

Other symptoms that may occur but are less common include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Low-grade fever

* This disease is generally treated with an antibiotic regimen.

The FDA is working with McDonald's to help identify what ingredients in the salads could have made people sick, and as a precaution McDonald's has stopped selling salads in 3,000 restaurants in 13 states.

The states where the illness has been reported include Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia and Missouri.

McDonald's released a statement saying it's working with officials in the affected states. See below-
"Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily stop selling salads at impacted restaurants until we can switch to another lettuce blend supplier," the email said. "We are in the process of removing existing salad blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers -- which includes approximately 3,000 of our US restaurants primarily located in the Midwest."

 

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