Health Department Warns Of Food-Borne Illness In STL County

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO — The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is issuing a warning about a food-borne illness that has sickened almost two dozen people across the county since the beginning of June. Most of the cases originated in the western part of the county, near Chesterfield, Ballwin and Fenton, and seem to be linked to pre-made salads containing lettuce, tomato or cilantro, officials said.

Cyclospora, an intestinal parasite, is the likely culprit. The protozoa often comes from fecally-contaminated produce and can cause severe diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, cramping and low-grade fever.

At home, washing produce before eating it is the best way to avoid getting the parasite, as well as maintaining clean cooking and food-prep surfaces. But that may not offer much protection at restaurants.

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Dozens of cases of an intestinal illness caused by the same parasite have been reported across Illinois and six other states, including Missouri, and an initial investigation suggests a link to eating McDonald's salads, public health officials said last week. It's not clear if the latest cases in St. Louis County are also linked to McDonald's restaurants.

The chain has pulled salads from about 3,000 restaurants nationwide, but none in St. Louis County. Yet, anyway.

McDonald's said in a statement that they are "monitoring the situation and cooperating with state and federal public health authorities as they further investigate."

Image via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention