Federal health officials are investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water, as the country faces its worst year on record for infections.
As confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 72 cases have been identified. But the agency did not specify the source of the contamination or specify where the cases are located.
This follows an ongoing multistate outbreak associated with shredded iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms, which has infected more than 4,000 people in at least 41 states, with an additional 7,400 suspected cases. This outbreak is associated with lettuce produced in central Mexico. It is concentrated in the states of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky.
Taylor Farms recalled its shredded iceberg lettuce in 27 states last week, although the company did not say where the products were available.
Currently, there are six ongoing investigations into cyclospora outbreaks, with only the lettuce outbreak having an identified source. Two separate outbreaks, sickening two and eight people respectively, are considered over.
Cyclospora is a parasitic organism that infects foods that have been exposed to human feces through irrigation or washing with contaminated water. It is responsible for causing an infection that results in symptoms of frequent “explosive stools,” as indicated by the CDC.
Cyclospora infections normally occur from May to August each year. It takes a long time to investigate outbreaks of this parasitic disease, as symptoms usually take at least two weeks to develop. Additionally, Cyclospora is difficult to trace using testing techniques compared to other pathogenic microorganisms. Indeed, there is no complete genomic sequence of Cyclospora.
Health experts recommend that people wash produce well before eating it and cut off any damaged parts as a precaution. Additionally, cooking produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the parasite.
