Another cyclospora outbreak not linked to lettuce under investigation: FDA

(NEXSTAR) – A new outbreak of cyclospora, the parasite capable of giving you “explosive” diarrhea, that has not been linked to the previously recalled lettuce is now under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The latest outbreak, with 72 cases connected to it, was added to the FDA’s list of ongoing investigations on Wednesday.

The cause has not been identified, though the FDA notes it is conducting traceback efforts.

The FDA has six active cyclospora outbreak investigations. Only the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, which has sparked more than 11,000 confirmed or suspected cases in the U.S., has an identified source. Two of the outbreaks – sickening two and eight people, respectively – are listed as ended.

Cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness associated with a cyclospora infection, are typically reported between May and August each year. While it can be acquired through food and water by those traveling outside the U.S., the parasite is more commonly linked to produce in domestic cases. An outbreak that sickened at least 69 people last year was linked to parsley, for example.

The source of an outbreak isn’t always identified, though.

Investigations into cyclospora “take a significant amount of time,” Gwen Biggerstaff, the deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, said earlier this month. It can take anywhere from two days to two weeks for people to begin experiencing symptoms, and cyclospora is difficult to track.

Whole genome sequencing, or the process of analyzing an organism’s DNA, isn’t available for cyclospora, preventing investigators from connecting the outbreak to a specific product. Instead, Biggerstaff explained, they have to use targeted genotyping, “which is useful for detection but not as fast and precise as whole genome sequencing.”

In the largest ongoing outbreak, the FDA continues to focus on Taylor Farms-branded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, despite a false positive test result over the weekend. At least five states have been implicated in the outbreak, though recalled products were distributed to dozens of states.

As of Wednesday, federal officials say more than 4,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across 41 states have been linked to the outbreak. Over 7,400 cases that have not yet been laboratory confirmed may also be associated.

Cases of cyclosporiasis are frequently underreported, in part because those who fall ill don’t always have symptoms or require hospitalization. Standard stool sample testing also doesn’t detect the parasite, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes.

Cyclosporiasis is unlikely to spread between people, which, if you’re familiar with the symptoms, may be a relief.

To protect yourself, health experts recommend washing produce thoroughly before eating, cutting, or cooking.

If you’re going to refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce, do so as soon as possible. Experts also recommend cutting away any damaged or bruised areas of fruits and vegetables before using them.