foodborne illness

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FDA reports new outbreak of explosive diarrhea with 72 cases identified
2 months ago
- FDA announces investigation of a sixth Cyclospora outbreak this year, with 72 cases identified.
- Overall, over 11,500 cases (4,173 confirmed, 7,400 probable) reported from 41 states, resulting in 308 hospitalizations and no deaths.
- This year's case count already exceeds the typical annual range of 2,000 to 5,000 in the US.
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed the situation is 'under control' despite the surge.
- A previous outbreak was linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico distributed by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell, with cases in five states including Michigan which reported 7,664 cases and 106 hospitalizations.
The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is About to Get Much Bigger
2 months ago
- The US faces a major outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with nearly 7,000 potential cases, over 3,300 in Michigan alone, linked to tainted lettuce.
- Actual case numbers are likely higher due to underdiagnosis, as labs don't routinely test for it and mild cases often go unreported, potentially doubling CDC tallies.
- Cyclospora causes severe, prolonged diarrhea and is hard to eliminate; it lodges in raw produce like lettuce and berries, resisting bleach and common sanitizers.
- Cooking kills the parasite, but contaminated foods are often eaten raw, with recent outbreaks including domestic sources, not just imports.
- The parasite spreads via water supplies used for irrigation, threatening larger outbreaks as infected waste contaminates water, and it resists chlorine in treatment systems.
- Experts warn the outbreak could expand rapidly through food distribution networks, potentially affecting all 50 states.
Wyoming's 'Explosive Diarrhea' Cases Double, Linked to Travel Outside of U.S.
2 months ago
- Wyoming has confirmed six cases of cyclosporiasis, with one domestically acquired infection under investigation.
- Cyclospora causes prolonged diarrhea lasting weeks to months, posing dehydration risks, especially for vulnerable groups.
- The parasite is often missed in diagnosis as routine lab tests may not detect it, requiring specialized testing.
- Most Wyoming cases are travel-related; the single domestic case has not been linked to national outbreaks.
- Cyclospora typically spreads through contaminated food or water, not person-to-person, with imported produce being a common source.
- Treatment involves antibiotics like Bactrim; prevention includes washing produce and practicing good hygiene.

foodborne illness

FDA reports new outbreak of explosive diarrhea with 72 cases identified

The Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak Is About to Get Much Bigger

Wyoming's 'Explosive Diarrhea' Cases Double, Linked to Travel Outside of U.S.