Yet another cyclosporiasis outbreak appears as cases linked to recalled lettuce grow

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect how many states have not reported confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis linked to the CDC’s ongoing investigation. 

(NEXSTAR) – Yet another outbreak of cyclosporiasis not linked to lettuce is now under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, the outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to more than a dozen states.

The FDA reported the new outbreak of the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasite on Wednesday. Ten cases have been reported in the outbreak, and investigators are conducting traceback efforts to identify a common cause.

We may never know the cause of the outbreak. Because of how long it can take for people to experience symptoms, and the difficulties of sequencing cyclospora, investigations can “take a significant amount of time,” Gwen Biggerstaff, the deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, said last month.

Domestically acquired cases in the U.S. are most commonly linked to produce. In addition to lettuce, other foods historically blamed for cyclosporiasis cases include raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas and mesclun.........

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