FDA cyclospora outbreak probe focuses on unspecified product
The FDA says it has opened a traceback in a new cyclospora outbreak while federal and state case counts continue to climb.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
A new FDA cyclospora outbreak investigation is now tracking an unspecified product, with federal officials saying Thursday that the exact source has not been identified.
A Food and Drug Administration spokesperson told CBS News that the agency has started a traceback, the kind of investigation used to follow a potentially contaminated food through the supply chain to find where an outbreak began.
“This is an active investigation,” the spokesperson said. “We will provide updates as they become available.”
The agency has not named the product, where it may have been sold, or how many illnesses are tied to this newly identified outbreak.
What is cyclospora and how does it spread?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that usually infects people through contaminated food or water. It causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness that can bring severe diarrhea, according to health officials.
Cooking can kill the parasite, but health officials say rinsing fruits and vegetables is not enough to eliminate the risk.
Other cyclospora investigations are already underway
The latest FDA probe comes as the agency is already handling several cyclospora investigations around the country.
One outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms and has been blamed for thousands of illnesses in states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, according to CBS News. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all of its iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after that investigation.
The FDA has also said a separate outbreak has caused at least 10 cases. Another outbreak has ended, though officials are still investigating it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has received reports of 1,645 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, including 141 hospitalizations. The CDC also said it is aware of more than 5,100 additional cases that still need further analysis before they can be confirmed.
State numbers in some affected areas are running far higher than the federal confirmed count. Michigan health officials said Thursday that the state has 7,664 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases, CBS News Detroit reported.
The CDC has warned that the real number of illnesses is likely higher than reported because cyclosporiasis is often missed or not reported.
For now, the newest piece of the outbreak puzzle remains unnamed. The FDA says its traceback work is active, and the agency has said it will release more information when it becomes available.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.