An "explosive" parasite outbreak that has sickened thousands across the United States may have spread to a wider range of produce than initially believed, according to former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.
Redfield warned in a recent TV interview that while shredded lettuce was an early suspected source, other commonly consumed items like blueberries, raspberries, cilantro, parsley, and snow peas could also be contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. The parasite, which causes the illness cyclosporiasis, is contracted by consuming produce contaminated with human feces. "The only way you get cyclosporiasis is you have to eat vegetables... that were contaminated with human feces," Redfield stated.
This warning comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its investigation into a major cyclosporiasis outbreak. The outbreak, initially linked to shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms imported from Mexico and sold at Taco Bell and other stores, has now been linked to 15 states. Nationwide, over 22,000 people have been sickened, and 500 have been hospitalized this year.
Federal officials have identified six separate outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. The major outbreak has impacted states including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, in addition to previously identified states. Michigan and Ohio have been particularly hard-hit, with Michigan reporting over 11,200 cases and 193 hospitalizations as of late July. Two deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported in Michigan, involving individuals with underlying health conditions.
Cyclosporiasis symptoms include frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The illness can last for weeks and often follows a relapsing course, where symptoms improve temporarily before returning. The parasite's one- to two-week incubation period makes it challenging for investigators to trace the source of infections.
Redfield emphasized that many previous outbreaks over the last decade have been linked to imported produce. He advised consumers to be cautious about raw vegetables and suggested that locally grown produce may be safer. "The safest thing to do is to get locally-grown vegetables because the real risk [for an infection] is these internationally imported vegetables right now," he said. "If people can go and support their local farmer and get their produce locally, I think they will be totally safe."
While thorough washing of produce is recommended, it may not eliminate the parasite. The only reliable method to kill Cyclospora is by heating produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). The infection is treatable with antibiotics, typically yielding recovery within five to seven days, compared to weeks or repeated relapses without medical intervention.
In a separate development, frozen blueberries sold at Publix stores in Florida and Georgia were recalled last month due to an E. coli outbreak. These blueberries were grown in Chile. Historically, blueberries and raspberries were implicated in a 1996 cyclosporiasis outbreak in Canada, linked to contaminated raspberries imported from Guatemala.
Health officials are also tracking a separate salmonella outbreak linked to Chipotle that has sickened 345 people across 27 states, which has been associated with jalapenos also imported from Mexico.