The US FDA is investigating a new Cyclospora outbreak as more than 4,100 domestically acquired infections have been reported across 41 states.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified a new Cyclospora outbreak that is separate from the ongoing outbreaks affecting thousands of people across the United States. The newly reported outbreak has sickened 72 people, but investigators have not yet identified the food product responsible for the infections (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
).
At the same time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 4,173 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis across 41 states since May 1. So far, 308 people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported. An additional 767 travel-associated cases have also been recorded, resulting in 33 hospitalizations after exposure to contaminated food or water outside the United States.
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Lettuce-Linked Cyclospora Outbreak Affects Five States
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Farms has sickened 7,664 people across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with 160 hospitalizations (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cyclosporiasis Outbreaks and Investigations
).
Michigan has reported about 7,000 cases, while Ohio has recorded nearly 3,500 cases, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
“I want to stress that our investigation continues, including into other potential sources and commodities for other clusters of illness,” said Kyle Diamantas, acting FDA commissioner. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week said the outbreak is “under control.”
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Why Is the Cyclospora Source So Difficult to Trace?
According to experts, Cyclospora infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis is much harder to trace than common foodborne bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Investigators typically use DNA fingerprinting to connect bacterial infections to contaminated food through laboratory networks such as PulseNet. However, this method is much less effective for Cyclospora because the parasite has a more complex genetic makeup, making it difficult to link infections to a single food item or supplier.
Dr. Max Teplitski, former head of the Division of Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture and now chief science officer at the International Fresh Produce Association, said the parasite remains one of the most difficult foodborne pathogens to investigate, contributing to delays in identifying the outbreak source.
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How Can You Reduce the Risk of Cyclospora Infection?
The CDC recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of infection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce.
- Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them.
- Do not rewash produce labeled “prewashed.”
- Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away bruised or damaged portions before eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.
Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces and is not transmitted directly from person to person.
Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician and medical correspondent, emphasized that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against the parasite. “This type of parasite doesn’t easily go away with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So, good old handwashing is really key here,” Sutton said.
References:
- Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks – (https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks)
- Cyclosporiasis Outbreaks and Investigations – (https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/)
Source-Medindia