Federal health officials have identified the source of the Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak that affected 31 states across the US, an intestinal illness that causes digestive complications like prolonged watery diarrhea.
Officials confirmed that the source of the outbreak was linked to the shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to some Taco Bell Restaurants in five states.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed through investigations that the outbreak was associated with the shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell Restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, and Michigan.
The restaurants that served the infected shredded iceberg lettuce have ceased serving it to their customers while the investigation is ongoing.
Although it has been confirmed that it contributed to the rise of Cyclospora infections during the summer season, the federal officials announced that they have only investigated one cause for the outbreak.
Investigators of the cyclospora infections are still probing whether there could be other infected consumables that contributed to the increasing number of infections in recent months.
Cyclospora is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People got infected by the parasite through consuming the contaminated water or food, where the parasite had temporarily stayed.
The said parasite will easily mature and become infectious as it enters the human body, making the host its thriving environment. However, this disease does not transmit from one person to another through direct contact.
Health officials reported that the symptoms began appearing about two days or two weeks after the consumption, when the person’s digestion became abnormal.
The common symptoms that appear in an infected person could be, but are not limited to, bloating, cramps, fatigue, frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss.
Other patients have been reported to experience symptoms like mild fever, body aches, and vomiting.
Medical professionals said that adults can quickly regain their health by receiving proper treatment.
However, prolonged diarrhea can easily cause dehydration, especially among vulnerable groups. These vulnerable patients are older adults, young children, and people with a weak immune system.
Healthcare providers usually prescribe medications for patients with persistent diarrhea as they seek consultation. They also recommend antibiotics, but only if the patient seeks medical evaluation.
In the meantime, the federal investigators confirmed that affected Taco Bell Restaurants across five states would avoid selling lettuce after learning the results of the investigation.
The FDA is now tracing the lettuce to its supplier to determine the source of the contamination.
Experts on food safety said that tracing the contamination in the fresh produce is a challenging task because the distribution of the consumables from farms to distributors to restaurants is fast-paced.
Aside from that, logistics companies assigned to transport fresh produce might have already distributed or discarded the goods.
Health officials told the public that consuming fruits and vegetables is still essential for our health. However, washing them properly is a big deal in this matter.
They also urged consumers to be aware of food products and check their labels as much as possible.
Following sanitary food preparation and handling practices is a must at home.
The joint tasks conducted by the CDC and FDA are further investigating new cases and vow to provide updates to the public. Investigators aim to investigate other consumables that may be linked to the increase in cyclospora cases. Health experts recommend that the public go for an early consultation about their stomach discomfort. This can help provide proper treatment, reduce the impact of complications, and prevent dehydration.