Cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection known for causing explosive diarrhea, have now reached 47 states as the illness reached unprecedented numbers.
There have been 10,468 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclospora infections since May 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its weekly update Aug. 4. The new numbers represent an increase of more than 3,700 since the CDC's last report July 28.
Cases have also now been recorded in 47 states, up from 45 last week. At least 12,255 additional cases have not yet been confirmed by laboratories, the CDC said.
There have been 517 hospitalizations and two deaths, per the agency.
Federal health authorities are still investigating the sources of what they believe to be multiple separate
outbreaks, the largest of which is centered in Michigan. The state reported more than 11,000 cases of cyclosporiasis and the first two U.S. deaths associated with the outbreak on Aug. 4. The figures differ from the CDC's because they have not yet been officially confirmed or reported back to the federal agency for inclusion in its count.
This latest outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce grown by produce giant Taylor Farms in central Mexico, prompting the company to initiate a recall July 17.
See map of states with cyclosporiasis cases
Only three states, Delaware, Hawaii and Montana, have been spared thus far from the outbreaks. Michigan and Ohio remain the two states most impacted, and Washington, DC, has also reported a handful of cases.
The CDC only reports lab-confirmed cases that occurred on or after May 1 in people who did not travel internationally within 14 days of illness onset. Its numbers often lag behind those cited by state health officials because of tracking, verification and reporting processes. There's typically a six-week reporting lag between an illness and the case being reported to the CDC.
What is cyclosporiasis? What are the symptoms?
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that causes gastrointestinal symptoms often associated with food poisoning, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known simply as cyclospora, and is usually contracted through contaminated food or water.
While unpleasant, it is not generally known to cause death, and many cases go unreported, as people recover at home without visiting a doctor. It can cause more serious complications in people with compromised immune systems or other underlying health issues.
The most common symptom is watery, frequent and sometimes "explosive" diarrhea, according to the CDC and Cleveland Clinic, though other troubles can include:
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Bloating, including burping and gas, or stomach cramps.
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
- Fever.
- Nausea.
Largest outbreak linked to lettuce hits 15 states as Michigan reports 11,000 cases
The Michigan-centered outbreak linked by the Food and Drug Administration to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms has been identified as the largest nationwide, with the state reporting 11,508 cases and two deaths as of Aug. 4.
Illnesses from the lettuce outbreak have been confirmed in nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, according to the CDC.
These states were identified after health officials tested sick people and traced the "DNA," so to speak, of the infections to determine if they were related. Those that are related are considered part of the same outbreak, likely stemming from the same source. Thus far, these nine states are the only ones the CDC has been able to confirm as related to each other and trace back to the lettuce.
The source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak is more difficult to track than foodborne illnesses because of a long incubation period, difficulty obtaining samples and the inability to use the same genetic tracking tools available for pathogens like E. coli and listeria, as previously reported by USA TODAY.
Several other, separate case clusters have been identified by the CDC and FDA, with no common cause yet named.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cyclospora cases top 10,000, reach 47 states, CDC says in update
