These Fruits, Vegetables May Be Linked To IL's Growing Parasite Outbreak

Illinois is among the states reporting cases of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic illness that can cause weeks of diarrhea, as federal health officials continue working to identify possible sources of illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent surveillance update showed 145 domestically acquired cases in 17 states among people who became sick between May 1 and June 16. Illinois had between 11 and 30 reported cases as of that update, according to Patch’s earlier report on the multistate investigation.

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(Map from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

No deaths have been reported. Twenty people had been hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Health officials have not identified a specific produce item, grower, supplier, restaurant, grocery chain or Illinois location tied to the illnesses. The CDC said there is currently no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking all cases. Instead, federal, state and local public health officials are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state.

Still, Cyclospora infections have repeatedly been tied to fresh produce in previous outbreaks. Foods that have been linked to past cyclosporiasis outbreaks include bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions, also known as scallions.

That list does not mean those foods have been identified as the source of the Illinois cases. The CDC said investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. People can become infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces containing the parasite, according to the CDC.

In the United States, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce. Illinois was also part of a 2018 multistate outbreak linked to McDonald’s salads, when state health officials reported more than 100 Illinois cases during that investigation.

The CDC considers May 1 through Aug. 31 the annual cyclosporiasis season because case counts typically rise in the spring and summer. The current CDC count includes only people who became sick after eating food in the United States and who did not report international travel in the 14 days before symptoms began.

Symptoms usually begin about a week after someone consumes contaminated food or water, though they can start as soon as two days or more than two weeks later. Watery diarrhea is the most common symptom and can be frequent and sometimes explosive, according to the CDC.

Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.

Without treatment, symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer, and diarrhea may go away and return. The CDC advises people with symptoms to contact a healthcare provider, who can test for and treat cyclosporiasis.

To reduce the risk of illness, the CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water before and after handling raw fruits and vegetables; washing fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking; scrubbing firm produce such as melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush; cutting away damaged or bruised areas; and refrigerating cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.

The CDC said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than the reported total because some people recover without medical care and are never tested for Cyclospora.