Massachusetts cyclosporiasis cases rise to 147 amid national spike
BOSTON —
Cyclosporiasis cases have spiked in Massachusetts to more than 100 cases as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to report an uptick in cases across the country.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh food or water and lead to severe diarrhea in those infected.
To date, there have been 147 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Massachusetts residents.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said epidemiologists have identified a few small case clusters among Bay State residents, some with apparent links to the lettuce. However, state health officials said there is no evidence of large outbreaks in Massachusetts and no local sources of contaminated produce.
Last month, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including Massachusetts, because of potential Cyclospora contamination.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of cases has topped 22,000 in 47 states.
Federal health officials have linked the large Cyclospora surge in the Midwest to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at some Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Cases of cyclosporiasis are known to rise during spring and summer months in the U.S., with a typical season running from the start of May through the end of August, according to the CDC. But case counts are particularly high this year.
In North Carolina, health officials said that many sick people reported eating parsley and cilantro.
And Chipotle recently removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants in certain states after the ingredient was believed to be linked to a salmonella outbreak.