US Health Officials Investigate Outbreak of Cyclospora Parasite

Federal health officials are investigating an outbreak involving the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora, which has affected 72 individuals as of Wednesday. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet identified the products linked to the illnesses, nor disclosed the locations of the cases. The Department of Health and Human Services stated in an email on Thursday that this is an active investigation, with officials collaborating to determine the specific cause of the illnesses in this cluster. Earlier this week, federal officials indicated they were focusing on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a separate multistate outbreak. The company recently announced a recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can infect food contaminated with human feces, typically through irrigation or washing with contaminated water. Ingesting the parasite can lead to intestinal illness characterized by frequent and severe bowel movements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Federal and state health authorities are investigating various clusters of cyclospora illnesses, including the one linked to Taylor Farms. Food safety recommendations include washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food, and cooking produce to a minimum temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) to kill the parasite.