Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Fresh Basil Spreads to Nine US States

(WS News) – US health officials say a cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce has now spread across nine states, sickening dozens of people as investigators work to pin down the exact source of the contamination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak has been traced in part to fresh basil, though officials cautioned that additional products may also be involved as the investigation continues. Cyclosporiasis, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, typically triggers watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue, with symptoms that can last from a few days to several months if untreated and sometimes recur after appearing to resolve.

Health officials noted that people can be infected with cyclospora without showing any symptoms at all, complicating efforts to trace the outbreak’s full scope. The parasite is typically spread through contaminated food or water rather than person-to-person contact, and past outbreaks in the United States have frequently been linked to imported fresh produce such as herbs, lettuce, and berries.

The CDC is working with state health departments and the Food and Drug Administration to identify the precise source and scope of contamination. Health officials are advising consumers to thoroughly wash fresh produce and to seek medical attention if they experience prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly if they have recently consumed fresh basil or other imported herbs.