Federal health officials are currently investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, the intestinal disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted through contaminated food or water, as the nation 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 has not clarified the source of the contamination or specified where the cases are located.
This follows an ongoing multi-state 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 focuses on the states of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky.
Taylor Farms recalled its shredded iceberg lettuce from 27 states last week, although the company did not indicate where the products were available.
Currently, there are six active cyclospora outbreak investigations, and only the lettuce-related outbreak has an identified source. Two separate outbreaks, which sickened 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 causes symptoms of frequent “explosive bowel movements,” the CDC says.
Cyclospora infections typically occur annually from May to August. Outbreaks of this parasitic disease take a long time to investigate because symptoms usually take at least two weeks to develop. Furthermore, it is difficult to track Cyclospora by testing techniques compared to other pathogenic microorganisms. This is because there is no complete Cyclospora genome sequence.
Health experts urge people to wash produce thoroughly 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.
