A quickly spreading infectious disease is raising alarms across the U.S., with a parasite causing severe gastrointestinal issues, including what some are describing as “explosive diarrhea,” reported in California. Health authorities have cautioned that the official count of cases in the state might represent only a small portion of the actual instances.
Current state statistics indicate that California has linked between one and ten cases to a larger statewide outbreak, which is still being monitored. The challenge lies in the fact that many individuals may recover without ever receiving a diagnosis or undergoing testing. This is compounded by the need for specialized lab testing to detect the parasite, which can delay reporting by about six weeks.
Interestingly, most infections in California appear to stem from international travel rather than a widespread outbreak across multiple states.
On a national level, over 2,900 people across 32 states have been reported infected, with Michigan experiencing the highest incidence of infection.
California alone has documented 1,562 cases—around 31 times the usual annual rate of about 50—resulting in at least 44 hospitalizations.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that contaminated food may be responsible for this surge in cases, although they have yet to pinpoint any specific food products, suppliers, or producers involved in the outbreak.
The organism responsible for these infections is known as Cyclospora, which typically spreads through food or water tainted with feces. Past outbreaks have often been linked to imported fresh products such as raspberries, basil, and other greens.
The disease manifests with intense gastrointestinal symptoms, which, according to the CDC, can include watery diarrhea with frequent, often urgent, bowel movements. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, and weight loss.
Symptoms typically emerge around a week after infection, but the onset can vary from two days to two weeks. This variability complicates efforts to trace the source of infections.
For treatment, the CDC recommends a 10-day course of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known by brand names like Bactrim and Septra.
Some Taco Bell outlets have temporarily halted the sale of fresh produce as a precaution while authorities investigate the origins of this outbreak.
Additionally, certain stores, including those in the Metro Detroit area, have started notifying customers that items such as lettuce, cilantro, onions, and guacamole will be unavailable due to a nationwide recall. Restaurants in regions heavily affected, including Michigan and Ohio, have similarly removed these fresh items from their menus.
That said, it’s worth noting that neither the CDC nor the FDA has tied Taco Bell to the illnesses reported.
