The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been closely monitoring a large-scale outbreak of cyclospora parasite infections, which has witnessed a significant rise in the number of affected individuals. As of the latest update, there are now 581 confirmed laboratory cases, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous count of 317 patients reported on June 22.
While the exact source of the majority of these illnesses remains unknown, the CDC has been conducting interviews with cyclosporiasis patients to ascertain their food consumption prior to falling sick. This outbreak has impacted 32 jurisdictions, including 31 states and New York City.
The infected individuals span a wide age range, from 3 to 96 years, with a median age of 49, and 61 percent of the cases being female. The onset of symptoms ranges from April 1 to July 2, reflecting the time span required for infection development, testing, confirmation, and reporting. Cyclosporiasis symptoms can vary, sometimes subsiding and then resurfacing, making it necessary to conduct specific tests for accurate diagnosis as the infection can mimic other illnesses. Among the 569 cases with available information, 55 individuals have required hospitalization, while no fatalities have been reported thus far.
The overall number of laboratory-confirmed cases since April 1 includes 20 cases in Georgia and Alabama, linked to an outbreak associated with raw imported broccoli. Despite traceback investigations conducted by the FDA and local partners, there was insufficient information to pinpoint a specific type or producer of the broccoli. The CDC has stated that the broccoli-related outbreak has concluded, and there is no current evidence suggesting that broccoli continues to be a source of illness in other reported cyclosporiasis cases across the United States.The CDC emphasizes that multiple cyclosporiasis outbreaks caused by different food items can occur within the same year. Previous outbreaks in the U.S. have been associated with various types of fresh produce, such as basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.
During outbreaks, public health officials employ questionnaires to interview affected individuals, aiming to determine their dietary history during the 14-day period prior to the onset of illness.