37 In MD Sickened In Parasitic Illness Outbreak Linked To Basil

BALTIMORE, MD — A parasitic illness outbreak has sickened 37 people in the last month, the Maryland Department of Health has announced. The cyclosporiasis outbreak has hit 11 states, and tainted fresh basil seems to be the cause of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The state Department of Health says it's working with the CDC, several states and public health and regulatory officials to prevent the spread of infections.

Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanesis.

CDC's analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that contaminated fresh basil from Mexico is the likely cause of many of the illnesses across the country, but Maryland officials have not yet confirmed the link.

It is unknown at this time if all reported cases of Cyclospora infection in the United States are linked to fresh basil. Other possible sources are also being investigated, authorities said.

As of July 25, Maryland had 42 laboratory confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis reported to the state Department of Health, with 37 cases involving people who became ill in the previous two weeks.

People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with feces or stool that contain the parasite.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue

If left untreated, symptoms of cyclosporiasis can last from a few days to over a month, and may return several times after the illness initially resolves and follow a remitting-relapsing course, according to health officials.

As of July 24, a total of 132 people with laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infections associated with this outbreak have been reported from 11 states: CT (1), FL (22), GA (2), IA (2), MA (1), MN (29), NY (69), OH (3), RI (1), SC (1), and WI (1), according to the Centers for Disease Control. Exposures were reported at restaurants in four states (Florida, Minnesota, New York, and Ohio).

In the United States, most reported cases have occurred during the months of May through August, peaking in June and July.

Advice for consumers:

• Do not buy, eat, or serve any fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.
• Do not consume or serve uncooked items like pesto or salad that may include fresh basil from Mexico.
• If consumers cannot determine if the basil is from this company, they should avoid basil from Mexico. If they do not know what country the basil is from, they should avoid it.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has requested a voluntary recall of basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV and the firm has agreed. FDA has increased import screening on basil and will continue to investigate the cause and source of the outbreak as well as the distribution of products.

Consumers and retailers should always follow safe fruit and vegetable handling practices:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry and seafood products and the preparation of fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked.
• Prepare: Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
• Store: Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, or within two hours. Store fruits and vegetables away from raw meat, poultry and seafood

Advice for restaurants, retailers, distributors, importers and suppliers:

• The Food and Drug Administration strongly advises importers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as restaurants, retailers, and other food service providers to not sell, serve or distribute fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV located in Morelos, Mexico.
• Do not sell, serve or distribute the fresh imported basil if source is unknown.