July 22 (Reuters) – The U.S. FDA has said it is investigating another outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with 72 cases tied to an unidentified source.
The agency’s latest announcement, which came on Wednesday, adds to the growing number of cyclosporiasis cases reported across the U.S. Midwest. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating cyclosporiasis outbreaks in other regions.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite. People can become infected after eating or drinking contaminated food or water and symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue.
The outbreak underscores investor sensitivity to food safety concerns, with shares of Sweetgreen, Chipotle and Yum Brands falling recently, though regulators have not linked the companies to the outbreak.
Michigan has reported 7,171 cases of cyclosporiasis so far this year, a rise of about 600 cases from its previous update on Tuesday, while Ohio has also reported a sharp increase in infections, underscoring the spread of the seasonal parasite-linked illness across parts of the Midwest.
On July 17, Taylor Farms, which has been at the center of one of the biggest outbreaks of the intestinal infection in the United States, recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recall includes lettuce sold in retail stores, served in restaurants and distributed to food service customers.
Yum Brands’ Taco Bell was previously linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce served at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The restaurant chain has since stopped using lettuce procured from Taylor Farms.
Cyclospora infections typically spike during the spring and summer months in the U.S. as warmer climates help the parasite thrive, often leading to multistate investigations by health authorities.
(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara and Pooja Desai)
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