Cyclospora has sickened at least 155 people in Texas since mid-June, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Health officials have not yet determined the food source behind the outbreak. Past outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce including raspberries, snow peas, basil, cilantro, mesclun and salad. Cyclospora can be difficult to wash off, but washing produce under cold running water and then drying it is one of the best ways to reduce contamination from parasites and bacteria. The cyclospora parasite is transmitted when an infected person passes immature oocysts in their stools which then contact food. If the oocysts are ingested in their immature state, they do not cause illness. However, if they have a chance to mature while on food and are then ingested, … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Sickens A Dozen in Massachusetts
At least a dozen people in Massachusetts were stricken with cycslospora infections in July, according to the state's Department of Public Health. Typically, less than five cases are reported annually in that state. Health authorities don't know what food source has been contaminated with the parasite which is normally associated with travel to tropical or subtropical regions. In the past, cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to imported produce items including , snow peas, basil, cilantro, mesclun and salad. Massachusetts is one of several states experiencing a cyclospora outbreak for the second straight year. Last summer, outbreaks in 25 states sickened 631 people. This summer, at least 12 states have reported spikes in cases of cyclsporiasis. Symptoms of an infection include … [Read more...]
How Cyclospora Parasite Gets on Food, Causes Illness
Cyclospora, a single-celled parasite that can cause months of illness, is considered a rare parasite in the United States, but for folks in some states its becoming a little too familiar. Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Texas have had cyclospora outbreaks for two straight summers. Mayland, Montana and Oregon missed last summer's outbreaks that sickened at least 631 people, but they are getting to know about the little bug this summer as they investigate spikes in reported illnesses. So, how is this rare parasite, normally associated with tropical climates, making its was onto our food an into the headlines? Cyclospora is transmitted when an infected person passes immature oocysts in their stools. If these oocysts make … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Can Survive Freezing Temps
Although cyclospora is associated with subtropical and tropical climates, the hardy parasite can survive periods of freezing temperatures. Killing cyclospora with cold temperatures requires that it be frozen for 24 to 48 hours at temperatures between 24.8˚ F and -4˚F or lower, according to the Guide for Foodborne Pathogens. At freezing temperatures above 25˚ F, cyclospora can survive. That was was the case in June 2000, when an outbreak in Philadelphia was linked to raspberries in a wedding cake. After illnesses were reported and stool specimens from wedding guests collected and tested positive for the parasite, epidemiological testing confirmed the presence of cyclospora in the cake. Raspberries imported from Guatemala were the only produce ingredient used to make the wedding cake. … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclosporiasis Cases Surge to 110
Texas cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 110, the state health department is reporting. This is the second straight year that Texas has experienced a cyclospora outbreak. Last year, 270 Texans were sickened by the rare parasite normally associated with travel to tropical or sub-tropical regions. Many of the 2013 cases were linked to contaminated cilantro imported from Mexico. A food source for this year's cases has not yet been identified. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can last up to two months and include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Symptoms such as vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms are also possible. Cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics. The most common approach is … [Read more...]
Cyclospora in 13 States Sickens 125
At least 125 cases of cyclospora infection have been reported in 13 states, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) in Minnesota. Health officials have not determined if the cases are linked and a food source has not been identified. But as spike in cases is unusual. Cyclospora is a rare parasite normally associated with tropical or subtropical climates. In the U.S., cases of infection, called cyclosporiasis, are most often associated with travel. Last year, the single-celled organism burst into national headlines when a 25-state outbreak sickened 631 people, hospitalizing 49. Produce imported from Mexico was identified as the source of most of those illnesses. Cyclospora is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, meaning microscopic amounts of … [Read more...]
CDC Issues Final Report on Cyclospora Outbreak
The Cyclospora outbreak that began in June sickened 631 people in 25 states before ending in late September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which issued its final report on the outbreak today. Health investigators determined that there were multiple sources for illnesses reported. In Iowa and Nebraska, the food source was identified as commercial bagged salad mix and in Texas many illnesses were caused by cilantro. Cyclospora, a rare parasite usually associated with travel to tropical areas, causes an infection called cyclosporiasis. Symptoms include a watery diarrhea that lasts an average of 57 days if untreated. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and low-grade … [Read more...]
FDA: Cyclospora Outbreaks Over, Food Source in Most States Unknown
The Cyclospora outbreaks are over, but the food source that caused the illnesses in all but three states remains a mystery, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The outbreaks sickened 643 people in 25 states but they did not all have a common food source. One hundred and twenty six people in 22 states don't know what they ate that made them sick. Health authorities identified the food source for some of the 278 cases in Texas as cilantro imported from Mexico and for all of the 153 cases in Iowa and 86 cases in Nebraska as bagged salad mix with greens made from ingredients that were also imported from Mexico. In all three states, the contaminated produce was served at restaurants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not released the names of … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Illnesses Linked To Cilantro From Restaurants and Grocery Store
Cyclospora on Cilantro imported from Mexico sickened 30 people who ate at a Mexican-style restaurant in Fort Bend County, Texas, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health investigators also identified illness clusters associated with two other Texas restaurants and one grocery store. The agency has not released the names of the restaurants or the store, which is located in North Texas. Shopper card information revealed that four people who were sickened had all purchased fresh cilantro within three days of each other. The purchases were made seven to 10 days before they became ill, which is consistent with the incubation period for cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite. In interviews with the 278 Texans … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Outbreak Lost in the Shutdown Shuffle?
Remember the Cyclospora outbreak? A source for most of the illnesses had not been discovered when federal investigators last issued an update about a month ago. At that point, the outbreak had sickened 643 people in 25 states. The source of the 153 illnesses in Iowa and 86 illnesses in Nebraska has been identified as contaminated salad mix from Taylor Farms of Mexico served at Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants. But investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who do think the same mix is responsible for illnesses in others states, have yet to find a source for the 400 illnesses in the 23 other states. CDC investigators have said they believe the illnesses may be separate concurrent or overlapping … [Read more...]
