FDA Investigates New Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Unidentified Product

Federal health officials are investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite typically found in contaminated food or water. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday that the source of the current outbreak has not yet been identified.

The FDA has initiated a traceback investigation, a process where officials follow a potentially contaminated food product through the supply chain to pinpoint its origin. A spokesperson described the investigation as active and stated that updates would be provided as they become available.

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This is an active investigation. We will provide updates as they become available.

This latest outbreak adds to a series of ongoing cyclosporiasis investigations. One notable previous outbreak was linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which was blamed for thousands of illnesses across several states and led to a voluntary recall of the product. Another separate outbreak has resulted in at least 10 confirmed cases.

Cyclosporiasis symptoms include severe diarrhea. While cooking can kill the parasite, health officials emphasize that simply washing produce is insufficient for prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 1,600 confirmed cases since May 1, with 141 hospitalizations. However, state health departments report significantly higher numbers, with Michigan alone counting over 7,600 cases, suggesting the actual number of illnesses may be considerably higher due to underdiagnosis and underreporting.

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Because cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported, the true number of illnesses is likely higher than what has been reported.