Cyclospora cases continue; Schools reacting before classes start

ABC 17 News is continuing to follow the latest case of cyclospora in Missouri after we told you about a new case in Miller County on Monday night.

Nationwide, there are now more than 530 cases.

The total number of cyclospora cases in the state of Missouri is now up to four.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in other states the outbreaks are stemming from pre-packed lettuce out from the country Mexico.

A district spokesman said the schools use Graves Menu Maker, Kohl Wholesale and Central Dairy to provide food in the district.

“We certainly rely very heavily on our vendors to go through the proper processes in obtaining what ever food that would be provided to our schools,” said Michelle Baumstark with Columbia Public Schools.

Graves Menu Maker and Kohl Wholesale say their lettuce comes from Taylor Farm out of California.

“We also rely very heavily on the Boone county, city of Columbia, health department to provide us guidance when we are facing situations like this,” Baumstark said.

The CDC is still unclear if the outbreaks are related.

Even close to home, it is uncertain if the cases in Missouri are connected.

“We’ll see what happens and watching what happens with the CDC investigation and hopefully have them determine what the source is,” said Baumstark.

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said Taylor Farm in Mexico, the farm believed to be linked to the recent outbreaks, has voluntarily stopped shipping lettuce to the U.S.

The CDC is still investigating if the cyclospora cases are part of the same outbreak.