The CDC is tracking a summer surge in Cyclospora infections. As of the June 18 surveillance update, CDC recorded 145 cases of the disease occurring between May 1 and June 16 in 17 U.S. states. 20 people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Because none of the patients had prior international travel, CDC and FDA are seeking domestic food sources.
New York is the state hardest hit. One caveat worth mentioning: The widely cited figure of “31 to 80 cases in New York” is not the number published by the CDC. The CDC only releases national totals, state counts, and shaded maps. The New York numbers are a media reading of which shaded band the state falls into. If you need a specific state number, CDC advises you to contact your state health department directly.
Michigan is real
Michigan is not one of the CDC’s 17 states, but the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services separately reported 572 cases as of July 4, centered around the Monroe County cluster. These cases have not reached the CDC’s national pipeline, which only runs through June 16. This is not a contradiction. It’s a delay. If Michigan joins, the national numbers will jump, not increase. That’s why one outlet says “145 out of 17 states” and another outlet says “300 out of 18 states.” The larger numbers simply add Michigan’s numbers to the CDC. That’s reasonable, but it’s a media tally and not an official CDC number.
Almost all Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States occur on fresh, raw produce that has not undergone any cooking steps. The FDA and CDC point to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas and snap peas, mesclun and salad mixes, bagged salads, salad kits and vegetable trays. Two things that are important to consumers are that washing does not remove parasites and that it has never been frozen, cooked or peeled. This is a problem of polluted water and fields, not food coolers.
we’ve seen this before
Introduction to Cyclospora
Anyone who develops symptoms of Cyclospora infection and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight parasites.
Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. Although symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, death from Cyclospora infection is rare.
Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, small single-celled organisms. It is spread when people ingest contaminated feces, usually through contaminated food or water. Unlike E. coli or Salmonella, which can also be transmitted in animal feces, it can only be transmitted through human feces.
Food safety experts say there is no evidence that washing produce eliminates parasites.
