Home / Health / New Cyclospora Outbreak Triggers Federal Probe
New Cyclospora Outbreak Triggers Federal Probe
23 Jul
Summary
- Federal health officials are investigating a new cyclospora outbreak.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet identified the product source.
- The parasite causes gastrointestinal illness with severe diarrhea.
Federal health officials are currently investigating a new outbreak of cyclospora, a microscopic parasite known to cause a gastrointestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the source of this particular outbreak has not yet been identified.
The FDA has initiated a traceback investigation to follow the potentially contaminated food product through the supply chain in an effort to pinpoint its origins. This active investigation follows several similar outbreaks investigated around the country.
Cyclospora causes severe and sometimes explosive diarrhea. While cooking kills the parasite, washing produce is insufficient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,645 confirmed cases since May 1, with 141 hospitalizations, though state data indicates significantly higher numbers in affected areas.
