FDA says new cyclospora outbreak linked to unspecified product
Federal health officials have detected a new outbreak of cyclospora caused by an unspecified product, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. The source of the outbreak “has not yet been determined,” the FDA said.
A spokesperson for the agency told CBS News that the FDA initiated backtrackingThis is when researchers follow the path of a potentially contaminated food product through the supply chain in order to identify the origins of a foodborne illness outbreak.
“This is an active investigation,” the spokesman said. “We will provide updates as they become available.”
This is the latest of several investigations the FDA has opened into cyclospora outbreaks across the country. linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms It has been blamed for thousands of illnesses in states such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. This investigation involves Taylor Farms voluntarily to remember all its iceberg lettuce It comes from central Mexico.
The FDA said a separate outbreak resulted in at least 10 cases, while another outbreak ended but the investigation continues.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that is usually transmitted to humans through contaminated food or water. This would be a reason gastrointestinal disease It is called cyclosporiasis, which can cause symptoms such as severe and sometimes “explosive” diarrhoea.
Cooking can kill the parasite, but health officials say just washing fruits and vegetables is not enough.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it had received reports of 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, including 141 patients hospitalized. The CDC said it is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm.
But state health departments in affected areas reached much higher numbers. Michigan health officials said Thursday that the state actually has 7,664 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis. CBS News Detroit reported.
“Because cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported, the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than reported,” the CDC said.
