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🇮🇱 Israel /Health & Science

US FDA Investigates New Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Amid Rising Cases

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The US FDA is investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with 72 cases linked to an unidentified source.
  • This adds to over 4,173 confirmed cases reported nationwide since May 1, particularly in the US Midwest.
  • Health authorities are tracing the source, with previous outbreaks linked to contaminated produce like lettuce.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness, identifying 72 cases tied to an as-yet-unidentified source. This investigation adds to a significant number of cyclosporiasis cases reported across the U.S. Midwest, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirming 4,173 domestically acquired cases since May 1. Michigan and Ohio have recorded particularly sharp rises in infections.

The agency's announcement on Wednesday adds to the growing number of cyclosporiasis cases reported across the US Midwest, including Michigan and four other states.

— US FDAAnnouncing the investigation into the new outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. Health authorities are initiating a traceback to pinpoint the source of the latest outbreak. Previous large-scale outbreaks in recent years have been linked to contaminated produce, notably iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms plant in central Mexico. Taylor Farms recalled such lettuce on July 17, though Mexico has stated there is currently no evidence to suggest its lettuce caused the outbreak.

The CDC has identified 4,173 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases in the United States since May 1 and is investigating more than 7,400 additional reported infections that have yet to be laboratory confirmed, many of them in Michigan and Ohio.

— CDCProviding statistics on the overall number of cases in the US.

The outbreak has also impacted the food service industry. Shares of Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, saw a nearly 10% drop after reports linked the chain to the illness's spread. Taco Bell has since discontinued the use of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms. Cyclospora infections typically peak in the U.S. during warmer spring and summer months, often prompting multistate investigations by health agencies.

Mexico said on Tuesday there was no evidence yet to suggest that lettuce sourced from it caused the outbreak in the US

— Mexican GovernmentResponding to links between Mexican produce and the outbreak.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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