34 US states. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which has spread in 34 US states.
The CDC said laboratory testing has confirmed 1,645 cases nationwide, and it is investigating about 5,100 more cases. Officials said the number of reported cases is expected to increase as more reports are reviewed and confirmed.
There have been no deaths reported. But the current outbreak has led to 141 hospitalisations.
Michigan has the highest number of reported infections, with the state’s health department reporting 3,762 confirmed and probable cases as of July 15. Other states with a high number of cases are New York, Ohio, North Carolina and Illinois. The CDC reported more than 400 confirmed cases in four Midwestern states — Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Health officials say the actual number of infections is almost certainly higher because many people get better without ever seeing a doctor or getting tested in a lab.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite known as cyclospora cayetanensis. People get infected when they consume food or water contaminated with the parasite.
Symptoms usually occur about 1 week after exposure and may include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Sometimes the diarrhoea can be severe,” the CDC notes. Some infected people may have no symptoms at all.
If not treated, the disease can last for days or over a month, and symptoms may return after partial improvement.
Cyclospora is not spread directly from person to person, as many infectious diseases are spread. Transmission experts say it is spread through contaminated food or water by the faecal-oral route.
Nature of Outbreak Still Unknown
The CDC said those affected reported becoming sick after eating food in the United States and had not travelled internationally in the two weeks prior to illness onset.
Investigators have not linked the outbreak to any particular food item, farm, supplier or distributor.
Earlier Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada have been linked to fresh produce, such as bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions. “Most contamination occurs in the growing or irrigation process, and so traceback investigations are difficult,” said Dr David Acheson, a former FDA official who is now a public health expert.
Advice for Public Health
Michigan health officials are telling restaurants and food service operators to reduce the risk of contamination by thoroughly washing fresh produce, removing outer leaves from leafy vegetables when appropriate and using recommended food safety practices.
Separately, Taco Bell said it was taking some ingredients out of some restaurants as a precaution while the investigation continues. Public health authorities have not identified any specific restaurant chain, supplier or ingredient as the source of the outbreak.
Officials continue to investigate the outbreak and urge anyone who has had prolonged diarrhoea or other symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis to seek medical evaluation.
