Health Officials Work to Find Source of Growing Parasite Outbreak

Health officials across the United States are working to identify the cause of a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that has now been detected in 31 states. According to NPR News, the condition is caused by a parasite called Cyclospora. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 843 cases, experts believe the true number of people affected is much higher. This is because many people recover without seeing a doctor, and there is often a delay between when a person gets sick and when the case is reported to health authorities.

This outbreak is causing significant concern among public health experts. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, noted that cyclosporiasis is a serious illness. He explained that it can lead to dehydration—a dangerous loss of body water—and may require people to seek emergency medical care. While the CDC reports that there have been 86 hospitalizations nationwide, there have been no deaths reported so far. The age of those affected ranges widely, from children as young as 5 to adults as old to adults as old as 88.

While the source of the current outbreak remains unclear, health investigators are working hard to find it. They are interviewing sick individuals to understand what they ate in the days before they became ill. However, this process is difficult because symptoms can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after a person is infected. As NPR News reported, people often struggle to remember every food item they consumed during that time. The CDC noted that the total number of cases is expected to grow, partly because of the six-week gap that often exists between the start of an illness and the final report to federal authorities.

This is not the first time the U.S. has faced such an outbreak. In the past, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked cyclosporiasis to fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce. For example, in 2018, a major restaurant chain removed salads from its menu in 14 states after officials linked the food to dozens of illnesses. In 2013, tainted lettuce imported from Mexico was suspected of causing 400 cases across the country. Because these infections typically rise during the spring and summer, the current increase is not entirely unexpected, but the speed of the spread has caught the attention of officials.

Some regions are experiencing more cases than others. According to NPR News, states in the Midwest and Northeast, such as Michigan and New York, appear to be among the hardest hit. Michigan alone has reported 1,562 cases, a figure that highlights the scale of the challenge. Ohio officials also reported 177 cases as of early July. The CDC stated that multiple states have reported a larger jump in infections over the last two weeks compared to the same time last year.

To protect themselves, public health officials are reminding the public to follow standard food safety rules. Cooking produce is the most effective way to avoid infection, as heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will kill the parasite. For those who prefer to eat fresh produce, officials suggest washing all fruits, vegetables, and herbs thoroughly. However, they also warn that these parasites can be difficult to rinse off completely. Home cooks are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water before and after handling any fresh food to reduce the risk of spreading the parasite.

As the investigation continues, health officials are asking the public to remain alert. Because the source of the parasite has not yet been identified, there is no specific food item that has been recalled or banned from stores. Instead, the focus remains on careful preparation and monitoring for symptoms. Anyone who experiences persistent stomach issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, or extreme fatigue, should contact a healthcare provider. For now, the CDC continues to gather information from states to track the movement of the parasite and prevent further infections.