Photo Credit: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
(OPGOV GLOBAL) – A parasitic infection is spreading across numerous states through contaminated produce. The spread has been reported in at least 20 states so far.
While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has not reported cases beyond Jun. 16, cases continue to rack up through state health databases.
Around 2,000 cases have now been reported between all state databases as of this report, including states with the highest number of outbreaks:
Michigan: 992 cases
New York: 394 cases
Ohio: 177 cases
North Carolina: 145 cases
Illinois: 141 cases
Colorado: 90 cases
Texas: 48 cases
Florida: 46 cases
Connecticut: 23 cases
Symptoms of this infection can have an onset of up to two weeks past initial contact, and can last for up to a month, in the very worst cases. They can include classic food poisoning symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. While not typically life-threatening, at-risk demographics can suffer more severe symptoms as a result of the severe dehydration that accompanies the usual symptoms.
Treatment is typically not necessary, as the immune system is usually capable of fighting the infection on its own. However, in very severe cases, treatment options may be used as a last resort to resolve complications.
The U.S. typically sees many cases of cyclosporiasis, caused by the single-celled parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis each year, but the rapid rate of infection and lack of one traceable index case, where an infection would have originated, have made this outbreak particularly concerning.
The infection has affected not just grocery chains and produce suppliers, but also businesses at the end of supply chains, such as restaurants.
Even Taco Bell, one of the largest fast food chains in the country, has posted signs at many of its locations across the country informing customers of supply shortages caused by the recent outbreaks in a bid to minimize contamination and further spread.
Photo Credit: Reddit / The_Sludge
There is no known preventative treatment measures for cyclosporiasis infections other than avoiding potentially contaminated produce, such as:
Lettuce
Snow peas and sweet peas
Raspberries
Leafy fresh herbs
Fresh produce from any grocer or farmer’s market should always be washed thoroughly, even if the packaging suggests the products have already been pre-washed; contamination can still occur after this step during processing.
This is a developing story. OpGov.News will continue to cover cases on a state-by-state basis where our coverage reaches.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at tracy.t@lead4earth.org.
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