Cyclospora outbreaks are on the rise in the US, with over 11,500 confirmed and suspected cases across 41 states, according to the CDC. The largest outbreak is a nine-state outbreak in the Midwest, believed to be linked to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico.
Investigations Underway
The FDA has launched investigations into six outbreaks, including the largest one in the Midwest. However, investigators have never definitively identified the cause of an outbreak, and the search for a ‘smoking gun’ continues.
Many experts believe that water contaminated with cyclospora is the vehicle that puts the parasite on produce. ‘Water is number one,’ said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, a microbiologist who consults with food companies on their safety practices.
The FDA has found cyclospora in canal water used for irrigation at a farm in Florida, but the source of the contamination remains unknown. The agency has urged farmers to do more testing of irrigation water and produce during the growing season.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
