A cyclospora outbreak that began one year ago was the largest food poisoning outbreak of 2013 sickening 631 people in 25 states before ending in late September. At least 49 people were hospitalized,
Cyclospora is a rare parasite normally found in tropical regions. Health investigators determined that the outbreak had multiple food sources, but most illnesses were linked to tainted produce imported from Mexico.
Eating food contaminated with cyclospora causes an infection called cyclosporiasis. The main symptom is watery diarrhea that can last up to two months if untreated. Other symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.
Although the outbreak included cases in 25 states, most of them, about 80 percent, were in just three states: Iowa, Nebraska and Texas. Public health investigators in Iowa and Nebraska, which together had 227 cases, determined that the source of illness in those states was commercial bagged salad mix produced by Taylor Farms of Mexico and served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA concluded that many of the 270 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas were caused by contaminated cilantro imported from Mexico and that the cause of 126 illnesses in the remaining 22 states was unknown.
Case patients, who ranged in age from less than 1 year to 94 years old, reported onset of illness dates ranging from June 1, 2013, to August 29, 2013. About 58 percent were female. The median age was 52. By state the case count was as follows: Arkansas (16), California (1), Connecticut (2), Florida (33), Georgia (5), Illinois (14), Iowa (140), Kansas (4), Louisiana (3), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (1), Minnesota (3), Missouri (5), Nebraska (87), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (4), New York City (10), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (270), Virginia (4), Wisconsin (18), and Wyoming (1).
