A parasitic illness linked to contaminated food has spread to nine states, with health officials tracking what appears to be two distinct outbreaks of Cyclospora cayetanensis. The cases have drawn attention from federal health authorities as the number of affected states continues to grow.
According to NBC News, the cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to nine states. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness, typically through consumption of contaminated fresh produce or water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue.
STAT reported that a new, separate outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite has also been identified, meaning investigators are dealing with more than one cluster of cases at the same time. Tracking separate outbreaks simultaneously complicates efforts by public health officials to identify a single common food source.
Cyclospora infections are not spread directly from person to person. The parasite requires time outside the body to become infectious, which means the source is almost always a contaminated food or water supply. Outbreaks in the United States have historically been linked to imported fresh produce such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, and mesclun lettuce.
The illness can last from a few days to a month or longer if untreated. It is treatable with antibiotics, though people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms. Health officials typically urge anyone experiencing prolonged diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms to consult a doctor, particularly if they have recently eaten fresh produce that may be part of a recall or investigation.
Investigators have not yet publicly named a confirmed food source for either of the current outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically works with the Food and Drug Administration and state health departments to trace the origin of Cyclospora clusters, a process that can take weeks given how quickly fresh produce moves through the supply chain.
The expansion to nine states suggests a widely distributed food product may be involved in at least one of the outbreaks. Public health officials have not issued a specific food recall tied to the current clusters as of the reporting date.
