parasites

CDC Warns of Cyclosporiasis Outbreak in Midwestern United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a US outbreak of Cyclospora infections that has been linked to bagged salad mix.1

According to CDC, the salad mixes linked to the outbreak contain carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce and were sold at ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco stores across several Midwestern states, including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.1

As of June 22, 122 cases of laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infections were linked to the outbreak, with the start of illnesses ranging from May 11, 2020, to June 15, 2020.1 Thus far, no deaths have been reported.1

The most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery diarrhea.2 Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, increased gas, and bloating, among others.2 Cyclosporiasis is diagnosed by examining stool specimens, and the treatment of choice is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.3,4

—Christina Vogt

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreak of Cyclospora infections in the midwestern U.S. linked to bagged salad mix. Parasites - Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection). Updated June 23, 2020. Accessed June 25, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2020/index.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disease. Parasites - Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection). Reviewed May 11, 2018. Accessed June 25, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/disease.html
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosis. Parasites - Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection). Reviewed May 21, 2018. Accessed June 25, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/diagnosis.html
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment. Parasites - Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection). Reviewed June 10, 2018. Accessed June 25, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/treatment.html