- The CDC reports that a parasite that may cause explosive diarrhea is spreading around the U.S.
- At least 47 states have reported cases of cyclosporiasis, with at least 11,234cases occurring in Michigan, two of which resulted in death.
- Cyclosporiasis often spreads through contaminated food or water. The FDA is working with the CDC to identify the possible sources of the parasite.
- An investigation linked lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms to Taco Bell to the outbreak, but the FDA says it was a false positive.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning of rising cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that can cause watery, often explosive diarrhea, among other symptoms
Cyclosporiasis has been reported in at least 47 states, has sickened thousands, and led to two deaths in Michigan
Medical records showed that the two individuals who died of complications linked to cyclosporiasis had significant underlying health conditions, which would have been affected by the infection and dehydration. Both illnesses developed prior to the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora.Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin within 7 days
of exposure to the parasite
“CDC routinely tracks cyclosporiasis as part of ongoing surveillance; cases typically increase in the spring and summer months. Jurisdictions have reported an uptick in cases in the past several weeks. CDC is working with partners to investigate this increase,” a CDC spokesperson told Healthline
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC are working to identify possiblece such as leafy greens and lettuce could be a possible source
False positive for complex Cyclospora test, says FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
initially reported that testing of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico returned positive for Cyclospora. Taylor Farms issued a recall for iceberg lettuceom the market
However, the FDA has since then re-reviewed the sample results, and have determined that it was a false positive, due to the complexity in detecting Cyclospora
Some Taco Bell locations had received the now-recalled lettuce, including but not necessarily limited to stores in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. As of July 17
, Taco Bell said they are no longer using iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico
Cyclosporiasis spreading in 47 states
According to the CDC
, at least 47 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, had been affected by the increased spread of cyclosporiasis as of August 17. These include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
At the time of the CDC report, Michigan had 4,000 to 6,999. However, as of August 20, Michigan has now reported 14,277 cases
According to the CDC, individuals who reported being unwell with the infection ranged from 1 to 99 years old, with a median age of 46. Approximately 57% of cases have been seen in females
These individuals became ill after eating food in the United States. They did not report any travel in the 14 days preceding the onset of symptoms
As of August 17, the CDC has also reported 1,681 laboratory-confirmed cases that were acquired outside of the United States. These individuals became sick after consuming food or drink while traveling outside the United States in the 14 days before they got sick
Large cluster of cyclosporasis cases in Michigan
Most cyclosporiasis cases in the United States have emerged in Michigan
A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) told Healthline that the state had identified 300 cases as of July 2
Typically, Michigan identifies only about 50 cases of cyclosporiasis per year. As of August 20, there have been 14,277 total cases reported in Michigan
“MDHHS is working with [the] local health department in southeast Michigan to investigate [the] large and growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness, to identify a common exposure,” said the DHHS spokesperson
“The department is coordinating the multi-jurisdictional investigation, assisting in case interviews, and sharing information with the CDC and MDARD [Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development]. At this time, the
How cyclosporiasis spreads and how to prevent it
The parasite that causes cyclosporiasis generally spreads when you eat food that is already contaminated with feces
It takes 1 to 2 weeks
outside of the body for Cyclosporato become infectious after passing in a bowel movement. Because of this, transmission from person to person is unlikely
It is not fully known
how Cyclosporagets into food and water. The best way to prevent the infection is to avoid eating contaminated foods and drinking contaminated water
“In recent years, outbreaks have occurred in the U.S. as a result of eating contaminated fresh produce, especially during the summer months,” said the DHHS spokesperson
Practicing safe food handling can help avoid contamination. This includes:
- Washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling and preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before cutting, cooking, or eating.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, like melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing and eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, but within 2 hours.
