Salad Blamed For Parasitic Outbreak In US

Prepackaged salad is thought to be the source of a parasitic outbreak in the US that has made hundreds of people ill.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that the salad mix, the brand of which hasn't been revealed, may be the cause of a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, affecting at least 372 people.

The single-celled organism cycosplora has been detected in 16 states, causing infections of the small intestine and a number of uncomfortable side effects.

Iowa and Nebraska authorities believe the parasite may be contained in a packaged blend of iceberg and romaine lettuce, carrots and red cabbage. The FDA report said it is "following other leads as well".

The pre-washed mix has been taken off the shelves in Iowa where 145 people have fallen ill, the biggest number reported by a state.

The FDA wrote: "The goal will be to combine information collected from other affected states with that provided by the state health authorities in Iowa and Nebraska to identify a specific food item linked to the illnesses.

"Should a specific food item be identified, the FDA, CDC, state and local partners will work to track it to its source.

"This is labour intensive and painstaking work, requiring the collection, review and analysis of hundreds and at times thousands of invoices and shipping documents."

Cyclospora can cause diarrhoea for up to 57 days, vomiting, bloating and fatigue.

It is unlikely to be passed from person to person.