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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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A number of states have reported a significant number of new cases in recent days that are linked to a widespread cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of Americans.
Cases of cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal illness caused by the parasite, have risen steadily across the country since May 1, resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
As of July 28, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has received reports of 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of domestically-acquired cyclosporiasis in 45 states since May 1, including 423 hospitalizations. That’s an increase of more than 2,500 cases since the CDC’s last update on July 21.
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More than 11,500 additional suspected cases are still awaiting confirmation or further investigation, the CDC said in its latest update. The CDC has said its updates do not include probable cases and that state data may include probable and confirmed cases, resulting in higher case counts.
The agency said it is investigating multiple clusters of cyclospora cases across the country. The largest outbreak has been linked to shredded lettuce supplied by produce giant Taylor Farms.
Federal health officials first tied that outbreak to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said customers in four other states— Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania—were also affected.
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Taco Bell removed shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its U.S. restaurants on July 17. The same day, Taylor Farms said it expanded a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico that were shipped to 27 states.
But federal health officials have said that other "brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels" could be tied to the outbreak as the investigation continues.
States Reporting Rising Cases
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported on Friday that the state now has 10,773 cyclosporiasis cases, with 193 hospitalizations.
The state health department said 1,373 cases were reported to the department since July 27.
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health has reported 4,013 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 25, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The figure is up from the 2,576 cases reported as of July 23.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported 718 cases, including 24 hospitalizations, in the state as of July 27.
The figure includes 157 newly reported cases, and eight newly reported hospitalizations, since the department’s July 21 update.
Missouri
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 593 cases as of July 26.
The number is more than double the 216 cases that were reported a week prior, according to USA Today.
Florida
The Florida Department of Health reported 254 cases in the state as of July 25. The figure is up from 158 cases reported in the state as of July 18.
Iowa
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has reported 226 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis since the beginning of the year. However, it notes that 47 of the patients reported international travel.
Fewer than 10 of the cases saw patients becoming ill in the week beginning July 26, according to the state health department.
Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health has reported 162 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 23, with 47 of those cases reported in the prior week. The state health department said 66 cases were domestically acquired.
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. When ingested, the parasite causes intestinal illness marked by "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC.
How Many Cases Aren't Reported?
The CDC says the official count represents only laboratory-confirmed cases that have been investigated and reported through public health surveillance systems.
At the same time, the CDC said it is aware of more than 11,500 additional cases that either have not yet been laboratory confirmed or require further analysis, such as determining whether patients traveled internationally before becoming sick.
The agency also notes that the true number of illnesses is likely even higher because some people recover without seeking medical care and are never tested, leaving many infections outside official tallies.
Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Check out Newsweek's latest coverage:
- Which Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe from Cyclospora Parasite?
- What Kills Cyclospora? Food Safety Tips Amid Explosive Diarrhea Outbreaks
- Map Shows ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Hotspot as Cases Surge
- Map Shows States Facing Surge in ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Outbreaks
- Trump CDC Stopped Monitoring Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Before Outbreak
- How Worried Should Americans Be About Cyclosporiasis? Experts Weight In
- Taco Bell Breaks Silence on Cyclospora Outbreaks
- People Told to Cook Food, Make Pies to Avoid ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Outbreak
- Medicine To Treat ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Outbreaks Could Cause More Diarrhea
- When to Go to Hospital for Cyclospora Symptoms as CDC Cases Double: ER Doctor
- Cyclospora Isn’t the Only Parasite in Fresh Produce—Experts Warn of Others
- How Long Does Cyclospora Incubate? Symptoms To Watch For, How to Treat It
- Where Does Cyclospora Parasite Come From? How to Protect Yourself
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Trevor Davies.
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