Missouri surpasses 2,000 reported cases of cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that causes frequent episodes of explosive diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, nausea and fatigue in patients.

As of Aug. 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been over 27,500 cases reported nationwide. Specifically, there have been 15,716 lab-confirmed cases and 11,841 more cases that haven't been lab-confirmed.

But, the CDC's reporting on nationwide cases has been delayed. For example, the CDC's website currently shows that Missouri only has 927 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, as of Thursday.

Within that data, Missouri is tied for being the third-highest ranked among the 17 states linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Michigan is ranked first, followed by Ohio, and Missouri is tied with Indiana. 

Two people in Michigan died in relation to the outbreak earlier this month, which are the first known deaths connected with the outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis has been confirmed in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to the CDC.

Cyclosporiasis prevention

A false positive result by the Food and Drug Administration linking the outbreak to an iceberg lettuce sample from Mexico produced by Taylor Farms has created a layer of confusion around the source of the outbreak.

CNN reports the CDC has findings supporting contaminated iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms made people sick. According to the CDC, more than 1,900 people infected with cyclospora also reported eating at Taco Bell in the nine states currently affected by the outbreak.

Health officials in Michigan, where cases are most numerous, pointed to lettuce and salad greens as cyclospora-infected foods to avoid, but other forms of ready-to-eat produce can’t be ruled out, CNN reported.

Risk of exposure to the illness can be decreased by thoroughly running all produce under clean water, but health officials still warn that disinfecting produce might not fully eliminate the parasite.

Follow additional safe food handling practices such as washing hands frequently and washing counters, cutting boards and utensils with hot, soapy water after use. Be aware that chemically disinfecting or sanitizing produce might not fully eliminate the cyclospora parasite.