Cyclospora outbreak numbers double; other outbreaks still under investigation

The number of patients in an outbreak from the cyclospora parasite has more than doubled, compared to a week ago, according to an update from the Food and Drug Administration.

The source of the parasite has not yet been identified. The number of patients has grown from 24 a week ago to 57 as of July 23. The FDA has not released any information about the patients such as where they live or their ages.

The FDA has begun traceback in the cyclospora outbreak investigation, but has not yet reported what food is being traced.

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a microscopic, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and Salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections.  

Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.

Food safety experts say there’s no evidence that washing the produce will remove the parasite.

In other outbreak news, the number of patients in an outbreak of infections from Salmonella Oranienburg has increased to 22, up from 18 a week ago. The FDA has not reported where the patients or their ages. The agency has begun traceback but has not reported what food it is tracing. The FDA first posted the outbreak on July 16.

For an outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections, the FDA has determined that the cause is Deep brand frozen sprouted mat (moth) and moong (mung) beans. Eleven patients from 10 states have been confirmed. Whole genome testing showed that the Deep brand frozen sprouts were contaminated with the same strain of Salmonella as has infected the outbreak patients.

The company Chetak LLC Group has issued a recall of the implicated bean sprouts. Information on the recall can be found by clicking here. 

For an outbreak of hepatitis A from an unknown source, the FDA has closed its investigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that the outbreak is over. The outbreak included five confirmed patients. The FDA first posted information about the outbreak on May 7.

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