As cyclosporiasis cases continue to increase nationwide, aublic health officials said during a Tuesday news teleconference.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of at least 1,645 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 14, mainly across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, said Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne, and environmental diseases. There are currently 5,100 additional reports under investigation, she added.
Texas is among the affected states, but infection rates within the state are comparable to previous year’s trends.
Article continues below this ad
“This is an active and evolving investigation, and the CDC and our federal partners will update the public as soon as we have active information,” Biggerstaff said
Cyclosporiasis is a diarrhea-inducing intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The illness is commonly contracted after eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with feces containing the parasite, but it can also be acquired by swimming in contaminated water
How many cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Texas?
Texas has lab-confirmed at least 68 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 13, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services
Douglas Loveday, the department’s press officer, said in an email to The Dallas Morning News that all confirmed cases were domestically acquired, and individuals did not report any international travel.
Article continues below this ad
The state has also seen 15 hospitalizations due to cyclosporiasis, and no deaths have been reported, Loveday said
“Case counts in Texas are considered only slightly higher than expected for this time of year, but it is not a drastic increase,” Loveday said. “Texas is not currently experiencing the huge numbers of cyclospora that Michigan is.”
In Dallas County, the number of closed or reported cases of cyclosporiasis has about doubled since last week.
Dr. Philip Huang, the Dallas County public health director, said the county has confirmed and closed nine reported cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 13, with 10 cases under investigation.
Article continues below this ad
Why are cyclosporiasis cases increasing?
Other states across the United States are continuing to report an “unusually high number of cyclosporiasis cases” in comparison to previous outbreaks, Biggerstaff said.
The CDC has identified a large outbreak spanning Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. Cases elsewhere, such as in Texas, could be connected or may be separate outbreaks, which Biggerstaff said the CDC is investigating
“The true number of infections is almost certainly higher than what’s reflected in these numbers because many people with mild illness recover without seeking medical care and are never tested,” Biggerstaff said
Article continues below this ad
Loveday said Texas does not have any laboratory or epidemiologic evidence that suggests Texas is a part of any of the Michigan or Ohio outbreaks. He added that seeing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases during the summer is not unusual, as the cyclospora season runs from May 1 to Aug. 31.
The CDC expects to see cyclosporiasis cases to continue increasing potentially through the end of August and on Tuesday issued a public health alert, officially notifying clinicians, public health practitioners and laboratorians of cyclosporiasis cases in the U.S.
Related: A parasite that causes ‘explosive diarrhea’ is on the rise. Here’s what Texans should know
What is the CDC doing to respond to the outbreak?
The CDC encourages anyone reporting symptoms of cyclosporiasis to talk to their doctor and get tested so that cases can be traced more quickly.
Article continues below this ad
Cyclospora infections are identified through stool samples, and no commercially available antibodies currently exist for the parasite, making rapid antigen-style testing, like those used for COVID-19, impossible.
Because symptoms appear one to two weeks after the initial infection and it takes time to receive lab results, more people have been exposed by the time a report is sent.
Michigan has reported at least 3,309 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 14, according to the state’s department of health and human services. Previously, the state was reporting at least 2,640 cases.
Michigan public health officials are pointing to lettuce or salad greens as a potential other food items cannot be completely ruled out, according to the CDC and Michigan’s department of health and human services
“We are aware of the signal for lettuce, and it’s being noted by our Michigan partners,” said Donald Prater, FDA’s acting deputy commissioner for food. “We’re continuing our traceback investigation on multiple produce items, including the lettuce.”
Article continues below this ad
The Taco Bell restaurant chain also issued a statement Tuesday saying it had voluntarily removed ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure.
Related: As cyclospora illnesses surge to a record, Michigan officials eye lettuce as a possible cause
What foods should I avoid to keep myself safe from cyclosporiasis?
Cyclospora is spread through contaminated food or water and cannot be spread through person-to-person contact.
CDC officials have not named any specific foods to avoid, as a specific foodd.
However, previous outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to various types of fresh fruits and vegetables, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries and snow peas.
Related: What foods should I avoid to protect myself from diarrhea-causing parasite?
To reduce the risk of food-borne infection, the CDC recommends washing hands and fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cooking or cutting. Cooking kills cyclospora, and any food heated to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or 70 degrees Celsius is considered safe.
Biggerstaff also recommends people stay up to date on food safety alerts and the ongoing investigations so that they know what foods are safe to eat
Anyone with symptoms is advised to reach out to your healthcare provider and ask specifically for cyclosporiasis testing, as routine tests don’t always screen for the parasite.
Niamh Ordner is a science reporting fellow at The Dallas Morning News. Her fellowship is supported by the University of Texas at Dallas. The News makes all editorial decisions.
