Cyclospora Outbreaks Likely Persist Through August as CDC Investigates Sources

Federal health officials forecast that outbreaks of cyclospora—a parasite responsible for intense, watery diarrhea—will continue across the United States through August while investigators trace the contamination source through the food supply chain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,645 laboratory diagnoses, reported 145 hospitalizations, and indicated a backlog of 5,100 cases pending further analysis and patient interviews.

“The actual number of infections is almost certainly higher, because many people experience mild symptoms that resolve on their own,” said Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, during a media briefing on Tuesday. “We’re seeing an unusually high volume of cyclosporiasis cases this summer.”

State health departments have linked outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, though the exact source remains unidentified. Earlier this week, Michigan officials warned that lettuce might be a potential source, while still continuing the investigation. The Washington Post reported that federal and state officials are examining whether lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Michigan could be implicated.

State reports indicate higher numbers of illnesses than CDC figures, largely due to reporting delays. Michigan officials noted that over 2,800 people had become sick in the outbreak as of Monday.

Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the single-celled protozoan Cyclospora. The organism is typically transmitted through water or food contaminated with fecal matter and peaks during warm months from May to August.

The parasite’s long incubation period—days to weeks before symptoms appear—complicates tracking, and diagnosis often takes additional weeks. Patients are frequently asked to(binding) recall their food consumption six to eight weeks prior to illness onset.

Previous outbreaks have been associated with bagged salads, herbs, raspberries, and lettuce. Experts suggest that rising temperatures, linked to climate change, may facilitate the parasite’s proliferation. Federal and state officials advise consumers to thoroughly wash fresh produce or, when possible, cook it.

“Cyclospora remains a challenging agent,” said Donald Prater, the FDA’s acting deputy commissioner for foodಿಂದ. “Our outbreak investigation team is working diligently to follow all the leads we have from the CDC for each of the various clusters.”

The Trump administration has faced criticism from public‑health experts as the outbreak expands, following a $11.4 billion cut to state and local health departments and a narrowing of the CDC’s FoodNet surveillance program in the year before the outbreak.

Biggerstaff noted that the CDC conducts weekly phone calls with states about the outbreak but did not disclose any additional deployment of staff. She acknowledged that state budgets remain tight.

“States are often under-resourced for activities like foodborne outbreak response,” said Biggerstaff. “The CDC is barba actively engaged.”

The CDC has long warned that comprehensive efforts are essential to enhance food safety and has highlighted the rise of cyclospora infections. A 2022 study found a 443% increase in infections between 2016‑2018 and 2021, with later communications suggesting that improved detection may account for part of the rise.

Biggerstaff urged the public to request a cyclospora test if they suspect infection. Because cyclospora may not be included in standard stool panels, specialized testing may be necessary.

“The surveillance gap I want to focus on involves individuals who do not seek medical care and those who do but do not get tested,” said Biggerstaff.

Source link