A rapidly expanding foodborne illness outbreak has grown far beyond initial expectations, with federal health officials investigating thousands of possible cases of a parasitic infection that can cause prolonged and severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1,645 people have been confirmed infected with cyclosporiasis since May 1, while more than 5,100 additional cases remain under investigation. In total, officials are reviewing more than 7,000 potential infections nationwide.
Confirmed cases have been reported in 34 states, with several investigations underway to identify the source of the outbreak. Health officials say the number of confirmed infections is already more than six times higher than at the same point last year, while the combined total of confirmed and suspected cases is roughly 27 times higher than the previous year’s level.
“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” said Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases. “It’s a very big shift.”
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can lead to symptoms including severe watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Symptoms may continue for weeks and can return after appearing to improve.
CDC data shows that about one in 11 confirmed patients has required hospitalization, although no deaths have been reported.
Michigan has become the center of the investigation, reporting more than 3,300 cases. Officials there have interviewed over 1,000 patients and say early evidence suggests lettuce or salad greens may be a possible source. However, investigators have not identified a specific food item, supplier, grower, or distributor responsible.
A cluster involving Michigan and Ohio has been linked through epidemiological evidence to cases in West Virginia and Kentucky, with at least 400 confirmed infections appearing to share a common origin.
Meanwhile, Taco Bell announced it was voluntarily removing certain ingredients from some locations as a precaution. The company emphasized that health officials have not found any connection between the restaurant chain, its suppliers, or its ingredients and the outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis is typically caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite and is not usually spread from person to person. Past U.S. outbreaks have been connected to fresh produce such as raspberries, cilantro, basil, and salad greens.
The CDC and state health departments continue investigating the outbreak while urging anyone experiencing persistent watery diarrhea or symptoms of cyclosporiasis to seek medical attention, especially if symptoms last several days or cause dehydration.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing, and the full scope of the outbreak will not be known until the contamination source is identified.
