Parasite Outbreak May Be Linked To Fast Food Chain As VA Cases Triple

The Virginia Department of Health this week updated the state's cyclosporiasis case count from 10 to 37 as nationwide numbers continue to climb. Taco Bell restaurants are also reportedly under investigation as the possible source of the outbreak.

In an update shared with Patch, Virginia health officials stressed that the state is not experiencing an ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a disease characterized by watery, explosive diarrhea that is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite that can contaminate fresh produce.

However, due to heightened interest in the illness, the state will begin publishing weekly case counts starting July 20. Previously, case counts were updated monthly.

Cases Increasing Nationwide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Tuesday, 1,645 cases had been confirmed in 34 states, with an additional 5,100 cases under investigation. Sixty-nine cases have been confirmed in neighboring Maryland.

However, the CDC said that its information is lagging behind state counts. According to the Michigan Health Department, for example, that state’s total case count is 3,762, with 44 hospitalizations.

From the confirmed cases, 141 incidents involved hospitalizations. To date, no one has died as a result of the illness.

Taco Bell Reportedly Under Investigation

A single common link among state or multi-state cases hasn’t been determined; however, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the CDC has identified a probable link between cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, and that federal and state health officials are investigating fast food giant Taco Bell as a possible source of contamination.

Michigan’s health department said lettuce or salad greens are likely the source of its outbreak, but cautioned that it can’t yet rule out any vectors.

In Michigan, media reports said notices were posted at some Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants last week telling customers the chain was “currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro-Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall."

How Cyclosporiasis Is Contracted

Cyclosporiasis can be contracted by consuming contaminated foods or water. Foods linked to past outbreaks have included a mix of greens and vegetables, such as parsley, broccoli and cilantro.

It cannot be spread person to person as the parasite is passed through bowel movement and can take days or weeks before becoming infectious.

In addition to watery diarrhea, other symptoms include appetite loss, weight loss, cramping, bloating, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, and body aches, among others. Symptoms vary by individuals and can begin to show up to 14 days after cyclosporiasis is contracted.

Related:

• Parasite Outbreak Sickens People In 17 States, Including VA
• These Fruits, Vegetables May Be Linked To VA's Growing Parasite Outbreak