Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Cyclosporiasis cases linked to travel, recall issues

FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Two cyclosporiasis cases recently documented in town are under control and present low risk to the town, according to the Health Department.

On Aug. 14, Board of Health chair Nasiba Mannan posted on Facebook informing residents that two cases of cyclosporiasis had been reported and confirmed in Hopkinton. According to her and Health Director Shaun McAuliffe, one of the cases was related to overseas travel while the other was contracted at a private business due to a recall failure.

McAuliffe told the Independent that his department had received a notice from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that food service supplier US Foods had failed to do recall effectiveness checks with any of its Massachusetts customers. The supplier was required to make the checks following an outbreak of cyclospora that originated from Mexico-based Taylor Farms.

One business in town, McAuliffe explained, verified it had destroyed all of the product it received from US Foods but not before a chef and another employee consumed likely contaminated salad greens and contracted the illness. One of the individuals is a Hopkinton resident.

“The establishment said they had not even received a notice from US Foods that the greens they were receiving were in any way, shape or form associated with the Taylor Farms recall,” McAuliffe added.

Individuals in both Hopkinton cases since have been quarantined and have not spread the illness to family members, the health director reported. He stated that those infected can reduce the risk of transmission by washing their hands after using the bathroom.

Tracking cases is not the only tool the Health Department uses to manage outbreaks, McAuliffe noted. “When an outbreak like this occurs … we’ll go out and meet with different restaurants to verify where they’re sourcing their foods.” Additionally, the department will check in with local food pantries.

Health agents recently completed a review with the Hopkinton Price Chopper as part of the department’s outbreak monitoring actions. The grocery store did not carry affected Taylor Farms products, and its bagged salads were from a different distributor, said McAuliffe.

The health director stressed that both Hopkinton cases of cyclosporiasis were not related to failures in the town’s business operations but rather cuts to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.

“Unless we … return back to the way we used to operate, we’re going to continue to have difficulties,” he said.

In an email, Mannan confirmed there was no broader food safety problem in Hopkinton. “We will continue to monitor the [Health] Department’s response and request additional action if new information becomes available,” she stated.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Hopkinton High School was ranked eighth statewide in this year’s national survey of public high schools by U.S. News & World Report.

The Economic Development Advisory Board on Tuesday met with a consultant from KemperSports to discuss opportunities for developing an athletic facility in Hopkinton.

A representative from Vertex informed the Elementary School Building Committee on Tuesday that major unforeseen change orders for the Charleswood School project are unlikely.

This week’s Police Log features one arrest, along with reports of juveniles playing ding dong ditch, a person struck by a car and a complaint about a traffic detail on Main Street.

The latest Arts Residency highlights Sue Scannell Gilbert, who remains active with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts after a long career in theater and film.

Jonathan Goldstein, 67, of Hopkinton recently passed away.

Town meetings tonight include the School Committee (7) and Cultural Council (7).

Photo of the Day

Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch (left) and Hopkinton Historical Society president Anne Mattina (right) speak with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll during a meet and greet event at the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center on Wednesday. Before meeting one-on-one, Driscoll delivered remarks on issues impacting the state, with an emphasis on affordability. She also answered questions from attendees related to health care, immigration and disability rights.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD