CDC warns of rising cyclosporiasis cases tied to fresh produce
The CDC’s early July count reached 145 cases in 17 states, with 20 hospitalizations, as investigators chased a produce-linked parasite that washing cannot reliably remove.
The CDC’s early July update counted 145 confirmed cases across 17 states, with 20 hospitalizations and no deaths. The illness, caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, usually brings watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and low-grade fever. Symptoms often begin 2 to 14 days after exposure, and the delay can make the outbreak hard to connect to a single meal or store shelf.
Cyclospora is not usually spread person to person. The parasite has to mature in the environment before it can infect someone, which means contaminated food or water can expose people in different places long before investigators identify the source. Fresh produce has stayed at the center of the response, especially raw items that are often eaten without a kill step.
Michigan health officials have pointed to lettuce or salad greens as possible sources. The Food and Drug Administration has an outbreak-investigation page tied to bagged salads. Taco Bell removed some ingredients as a precaution while the source remained under investigation. The CDC also keeps a source-unknown outbreak page open.
Consumers can lower risk by paying attention to recalls, handling produce carefully and avoiding raw items tied to a public health warning. Washing has limits: rinsing may not remove Cyclospora from contaminated produce. Once the parasite is on food, there is no reliable kitchen fix that guarantees safety.
Medical attention is warranted when watery diarrhea starts 2 to 14 days after eating fresh produce, especially if it is frequent or explosive or comes with fatigue, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal cramps or a low-grade fever. Virginia health officials have said the infection is not spread directly from person to person and that the state updates cases monthly; Virginia was near 10 cases.
The CDC put the outbreak at nearly 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases nationwide.
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