FDA Investigates Second Cyclosporiasis Outbreak - Yahoo

What the report says

The Daily Beast reported that U.S. food-safety officials are looking into a second cyclosporiasis outbreak while a larger lettuce-linked investigation remains unresolved. The article, published July 24, said the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that 72 people had become ill in the newer outbreak, but officials had not yet identified a food source or released the locations of the cases.

The report cited MS NOW senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta, who said it was troubling to see more than one possible outbreak at once and argued that the situation showed the need for strong disease-surveillance systems. Separately, authorities have been investigating lettuce from Taylor Farms in connection with a broader cyclosporiasis crisis that the article said has sickened about 4,000 people nationwide.

Cyclospora is an intestinal parasite that can cause prolonged gastrointestinal illness, including severe diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Citing the CDC, The Daily Beast said the larger outbreak began May 1 and has involved more than 4,000 cases across 41 states, with hundreds of hospitalizations and no reported deaths. Gupta advised higher-risk people, including older adults and immunocompromised individuals, to avoid bagged lettuce, offering that as his opinion.

The article also noted conflicting developments in the Taylor Farms probe. The FDA initially reported a positive cyclospora test from lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, then later said it was a false positive. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said the outbreak is under control and disputed suggestions that budget cuts harmed surveillance, while Mexico’s health minister said no evidence had shown the produce came from Guanajuato.