A recent outbreak of an intestinal illness characterized by diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue has been reported across 31 states, as confirmed by federal health officials. The origin of this outbreak is still under review.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday that it has documented 843 cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora.
However, the actual number of infections is probably much larger. This figure only accounts for cases that states have reported directly to the CDC. There’s also often a delay between when symptoms begin and when they get reported, and many individuals recover on their own without seeking treatment. For instance, Michigan reported a staggering 1,562 cyclosporiasis cases as of Friday.
As of Thursday, the CDC noted there have been 86 hospitalizations related to this outbreak, but thankfully no reported deaths.
People usually get infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Several previous outbreaks have been traced back to fresh produce. For example, McDonald’s had to remove salads from 14 states in 2018 after links to numerous cyclosporiasis cases were identified. Tainted lettuce imported from Mexico was also associated with an outbreak that sickened about 400 individuals in 2013.
Typically, cyclosporiasis cases surge during the spring and summer; however, the CDC indicated on Friday that several states reported a more significant increase in cases over the past two weeks compared to the same timeframe last year.
Where are cyclosporiasis infections occurring?
Health officials have flagged cases all the way from California to Florida since early May.
Notably, some of the most impacted regions seem to be in the Midwest and Northeast, with Michigan and New York reporting significant numbers.
The Ohio Department of Health mentioned that as of July 2, there were 177 reported cyclosporiasis cases, most of which originated in June. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of Ohio’s health department, remarked that cyclosporiasis is a serious illness that can lead to dehydration and may require emergency medical attention, emphasizing its seriousness.
The CDC reported that those affected by this illness range in age from 5 to 88 years.
As time goes on, the national case count is expected to rise, mainly because there’s typically a six-week delay between the onset of illness and its reporting to health officials.
What’s causing the outbreak?
The specific cause is still being investigated. The CDC is working to identify the sources of this surge in cyclosporiasis instances.
Investigators often do this by interviewing those who fell ill to determine what they consumed. But given that symptoms can take anywhere between two days and two weeks to manifest after infection, people may not always recall everything they ate during that time, making it tricky.
Previous outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to foods like raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce, per the Food and Drug Administration.
How to prevent cyclosporiasis
One effective way to avoid infection is by thoroughly cooking produce, as heating food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit will kill Cyclospora.
Public health officials also recommend washing all fresh produce, including herbs, although it’s worth noting that the parasites can be quite difficult to wash away entirely.
Home cooks should also follow standard food safety practices, like washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water both before and after handling fresh produce.
If anyone suspects they might have contracted cyclosporiasis and is dealing with dehydration or severe diarrhea, they should seek medical attention. Typically, this kind of infection is treated with antibiotics.
