More than 400 people across four states have been sickened in a growing multistate parasite outbreak, and federal investigators have not yet identified the contaminated food source behind the illnesses. The White House addressed the outbreak Thursday as public health officials race to find the cause.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to trace the source.
"We're committed to providing the CDC and the FDA with the resources that they need," Leavitt said. "Most importantly, [we're working to] trace the outbreak back to its original source, which we are currently in the process of doing."
The CDC confirmed the day before the White House statement that it is investigating a large cyclosporiasis outbreak concentrated in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. The agency noted that the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher than the confirmed count because many infected people never seek testing or medical care.
The outbreak appears to have accelerated since May, according to the CDC. Investigators are simultaneously looking at several additional clusters of cyclospora infections in other parts of the country. Public health officials are interviewing patients about everything they ate in the two weeks before becoming sick as they work to pinpoint the contaminated item.
No specific food product has been linked to the outbreak yet, which leaves consumers without anything concrete to avoid. Cyclospora infections have historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs and berries. Officials say identifying the contaminated food remains the investigation's top priority.
Cyclospora is not typically life-threatening, but the CDC warns that some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and weight loss. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or longer.
The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible and stay hydrated if symptoms develop. Officials also noted that routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, meaning patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite when they see a healthcare provider.
Leavitt's comments came alongside questions about recent staffing changes at federal health agencies, but she insisted the agencies have the resources they need to respond to the outbreak.