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Rachel V Thomas

Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Spreads Across US: Why CDC Is Unable To Find The Source?

A diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis is spreading across multiple US states, with federal health officials reporting a higher-than-expected number of cyclosporiasis cases this summer. While several outbreaks have been identified, investigators have yet to pinpoint a common source.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<span>CDC</span>) is investigating clusters of infections in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Some clusters have been linked to Mexican-style restaurants, a grocery chain and a catered event, but officials say there is no evidence yet that they are part of a single nationwide outbreak, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracing fresh produce, including white and green onions, cucumbers and cilantro, as potential sources of contamination.

Michigan has reported the largest outbreak so far. As of July 6, the state had confirmed 678 cases of cyclosporiasis, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The state typically records around 50 cases annually, making this year's outbreak more than 13 times higher than normal.

Ohio has also seen a sharp rise, reporting 177 cases as of July 2. Nearly 171 of those infections were recorded after June 20, with cases confirmed across 43 counties.

Nationally, excluding Michigan, the CDC reported 145 confirmed cases across 17 states between May 1 and June 16. At least 20 people have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 86 years, with a median age of 42, and about 61% of cases were reported in women.

<h2>Why Is It So Difficult To Find The Source?</h2>

Experts say Cyclospora cayetanensis <em>is</em> much harder to trace than common foodborne bacteria such as <em>E. coli</em> and <em><span rel="noindex">Salmonella</span></em>.

Investigators often rely on DNA fingerprinting to connect bacterial infections to contaminated food through laboratory networks such as PulseNet. However, this approach is far less effective for Cyclospora because the parasite has a far more complex genetic makeup, making it difficult to link cases to a single food item or supplier.

Dr. Max Teplitski, former head of the Division of Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture and now chief science officer at the International Fresh Produce Association, said the parasite remains one of the most difficult foodborne pathogens to investigate, contributing to delays in identifying the outbreak source, CNN reported.

<h2>How To Prevent Cyclospora Infection</h2>

The CDC recommends the following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:

<ul><li>Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce.</li><li>Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them.</li><li>Do not rewash produce labeled "prewashed."</li><li>Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.</li><li>Cut away bruised or damaged portions before eating.</li><li>Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.</li></ul>

Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces and is not transmitted directly from person to person.

Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician and ABC News medical correspondent, stressed that proper handwashing is essential because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the parasite.

"This type of parasite doesn't easily go away with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So, good old handwashing is really key here," Sutton said.

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A diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis is spreading across multiple US states, with federal health officials reporting a higher-than-expected number of cyclosporiasis cases this summer. While several outbreaks have been identified, investigators have yet to pinpoint a common source.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating clusters of infections in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Some clusters have been linked to Mexican-style restaurants, a grocery chain and a catered event, but officials say there is no evidence yet that they are part of a single nationwide outbreak, CNN reported.Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracing fresh produce, including white and green onions, cucumbers and cilantro, as potential sources of contamination.Michigan has reported the largest outbreak so far. As of July 6, the state had confirmed 678 cases of cyclosporiasis, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The state typically records around 50 cases annually, making this year's outbreak more than 13 times higher than normal.Ohio has also seen a sharp rise, reporting 177 cases as of July 2. Nearly 171 of those infections were recorded after June 20, with cases confirmed across 43 counties.Nationally, excluding Michigan, the CDC reported 145 confirmed cases across 17 states between May 1 and June 16. At least 20 people have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 86 years, with a median age of 42, and about 61% of cases were reported in women.Why Is It So Difficult To Find The Source?Experts say Cyclospora cayetanensis is much harder to trace than common foodborne bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.Investigators often rely on DNA fingerprinting to connect bacterial infections to contaminated food through laboratory networks such as PulseNet. However, this approach is far less effective for Cyclospora because the parasite has a far more complex genetic makeup, making it difficult to link cases to a single food item or supplier.Dr. Max Teplitski, former head of the Division of Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture and now chief science officer at the International Fresh Produce Association, said the parasite remains one of the most difficult foodborne pathogens to investigate, contributing to delays in identifying the outbreak source, CNN reported.How To Prevent Cyclospora InfectionThe CDC recommends the following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce.Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them.Do not rewash produce labeled "prewashed."Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.Cut away bruised or damaged portions before eating.Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces and is not transmitted directly from person to person.Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician and ABC News medical correspondent, stressed that proper handwashing is essential because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the parasite."This type of parasite doesn't easily go away with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So, good old handwashing is really key here," Sutton said.

explosive diarrhea parasite spreads across us: why cdc is unable to find the source?

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Spreads Across US: Why CDC Is Unable To Find The Source?

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Spreads Across US: Why CDC Is Unable To Find The Source?

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