There are 171 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas, which makes it the hardest hit state in this nationwide outbreak. The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating the outbreak, trying to identify a possible common cause of the illnesses. The cases have not yet been linked to the outbreak in Iowa and Nebraska, which has sickened almost 250 people and has been linked to salads by Taylor Farm de Mexico, sold at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Past Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce. The counties in Texas that have reported illnesses include Brazoria, Cass, Dallas, El Paso, Galveston, Hood, Hunt, Parker, Smith, and Victoria, among others. The CDC says the total nationwide case count is 425 in 16 states, with 24 people hospitalized. But … [Read more...]
CDC Chronicles Decades of Surveillance Over Cyclospora in Food
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it has investigated Cyclospora outbreaks over the past two decades -- a surveillance record that adds to the credibility of the agency's report that the current outbreak of Cyclospora in Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida and elsewhere is associated with bagged salad. The CDC chronicled its work identifying outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in its latest Morbitity and and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC, in collaboration with state and local public health authorities, analyzes each reported case for epidemiologic evidence of linkage to other cases to facilitate rapid identification and investigation of outbreaks. U.S. clusters of cases have been documented almost every year since 1995, the agency said. For the period 1997 to 2008, the CDC … [Read more...]
Cyclospora: CDC Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Update and FAQ
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections (cyclosporiasis) in 15 states: Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. Almost 400 people have contracted cyclosporiasis, which can cause weeks of diarrhea. What is the food that is making people sick? Bagged salad mix is the source of this outbreak, according to the CDC and Iowa and Nebraska health officials. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that the salad mix contained iceberg and romaine lettuce, carrots and red cabbage. The Nebraska Department of Health stated that the salad mix came through national distribution channels. What is Cyclospora? Cyclospora … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Hits Dallas-Ft. Worth Hard
A Texas Cyclospora outbreak has hit the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area hard. Of the 48 people who have been infected by the rare parasite, 41 live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Collin county has reported 14 cases, Tarrant County has 11, Dallas County has 10 and Denton County has six. Health officials do not no the exact source of the outbreak, but fresh vegetables are a suspect. Texas is one of six states grappling with a Cyclospora outbreak. In Illinios, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin hundreds have been sickened by the single-celled organism. Health officials are trying to determine if the outbreaks are linked. Cyclospora causes prolonged bouts of watery or explosive diarrhea that last an average of two months. Other symptoms of a Cyclospora infection … [Read more...]
