CDC Identifies 5,100 Possible Cyclosporiasis Cases—Expects More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states, according to a Tuesday press conference, though the agency also found 5,100 unconfirmed cases of the parasitic illness and warned of further spread into August.
While cases have been found in 34 states, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky have been identified as main states in this year’s outbreak.
Hospitalizations have totaled 141 according to the latest CDC data.
Michigan, which has been independently tracking its outbreak, identified 3,309 cyclosporiasis cases Tuesday, noting 44 people have been hospitalized.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that public health officials are looking into whether Taco Bell played a role in the outbreak.
The CDC has not confirmed the source of the outbreak, though the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services said its preliminary investigation suggests “lettuce or salad greens” may be the source.
No deaths have been reported by impacted states or the CDC.
“We assume a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC; therefore, we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received,” the CDC said in its Tuesday update.
Symptoms of the parasitic illness include watery or explosive diarrhea, weight loss, cramping and low-grade fever. Cyclosporiasis symptoms begin anywhere from two days to two weeks after ingesting contaminated food or drink.
The cyclosporiasis outbreak began in May, the start of the illness’ season, which historically lasts until Aug. 31 each year. Past outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to foods including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, basil, raspberries, blackberries, snow peas and scallions. Cyclospora was among several pathogens surveilled by the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network last year. After the program was reportedly scaled down, the 10 states participating in it were no longer required to monitor for cyclospora, though officials said Tuesday that federal tracking has continued despite the change. Experts and health officials have expressed concern that eased requirements could make tracking foodborne pathogens more difficult.