The United States is experiencing a significant surge in cyclosporiasis cases, with a 60% increase in laboratory-confirmed infections reported in the past week, pushing the total to a new record high. Officials have confirmed 6,707 cases across 45 states, though the true number of infections could exceed 18,000, as more than 11,500 suspected cases are still under investigation. This outbreak has led to 423 hospitalizations, but no deaths have been reported.
Michigan and Ohio are reporting the majority of cases, with local health departments in those states alone accounting for approximately 12,000 reported infections. These figures often exceed the national tallies due to reporting lags.
The current outbreak is linked to a nationwide surge, with a major cluster associated with shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which was sold at establishments including Taco Bell. In North Carolina, health officials are also investigating parsley and cilantro as potential sources of infection in their state.
Despite the escalating case numbers, an official from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the U.S. food supply remains safe. Speaking at a food safety conference, Donald Prater, acting deputy commissioner for food at the FDA, acknowledged challenges but expressed confidence in the agency's actions to protect public health.
Earlier in the investigation, the FDA identified lettuce from Taylor Farms as a potential culprit, leading the company to temporarily close a processing facility in Central Mexico and recall affected products. However, the FDA later indicated that lettuce from the facility had returned a false-positive result for the parasite. The implicated Taylor Farms facility produces shredded iceberg lettuce sold to large food distributors.
This outbreak has surpassed the previous largest recorded outbreak in 2019, which saw 4,703 cases primarily linked to imported basil from Mexico, as well as other causes. The current illnesses are being reported in nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, totaling 1,947 confirmed cases and 98 hospitalizations according to the latest CDC data.
The FDA is currently tracking six distinct cyclosporiasis outbreaks nationwide. While some cases may be listed separately, health officials note they could still be related to the main outbreak if linked to different, yet contaminated, food items.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite and typically transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water, frequently via fresh produce such as leafy greens, herbs, and berries. In the U.S., cases are often associated with international travel or imported produce from regions where the parasite is endemic, including parts of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Contamination can occur when produce is washed or irrigated with water tainted by human sewage.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Unlike common foodborne illnesses, these symptoms can persist for weeks or recur intermittently. Medical professionals advise seeking testing if diarrhea lasts for more than a few days, as it is not a routinely ordered test. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.