No Utah cases linked to national Cyclospora outbreak, health officials say

A nationwide Cyclospora outbreak has not affected Utah so far this season. Photo: nrd // UnSplash

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — As federal health officials investigate an unusually large, multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections, Utah health officials say no cases in the state have been linked to the outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,645 Cyclospora infections nationwide and is investigating more than 5,100 additional suspected cases, though officials say the true number is likely higher. Cases have been reported in 34 states, with the largest outbreak clusters identified in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

“This is much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before,” Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, said during a media briefing Tuesday.

Despite Utah appearing on the CDC’s national surveillance map, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said the state’s single reported Cyclospora case this season is not connected to the ongoing outbreak.

The department noted the Utah resident who became ill had not traveled, but was diagnosed more than a month ago, and there is no evidence linking the case to the national investigation.

Health officials also emphasized that the CDC map includes all domestically acquired Cyclospora cases reported since May 1, not just those associated with the current outbreak. Utah typically begins seeing sporadic cases each spring.

“Our team continuously monitors data from across the state, and there has not been an unusual increase in the number of people who seek care for gastrointestinal symptoms,” DHHS said in a statement.

Produce remains the likely source

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, most commonly through fresh produce.

While investigators have not identified a specific food responsible for the current outbreak, the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration say past outbreaks have frequently been linked to fresh fruits and vegetables that are eaten raw. Michigan health officials have suggested lettuce as one possible source in that state’s outbreak, though federal investigators have not confirmed a common food source.

Because symptoms often do not appear for one to two weeks after exposure, tracing illnesses back to a particular food item can be difficult. Federal officials say the investigation may continue through August, which is typically the end of Cyclospora season in the United States.

Unlike many stomach illnesses, Cyclospora does not spread from person to person. Instead, infections occur through contaminated food or water.

Symptoms and prevention

Symptoms usually begin about one to two weeks after exposure and may include watery or “explosive” diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and low-grade fever.

The CDC advises anyone experiencing prolonged watery diarrhea or other persistent gastrointestinal symptoms to contact a healthcare provider and ask whether testing for Cyclospora is appropriate, as the parasite is not always included in routine stool tests.

To reduce the risk of infection, health officials recommend washing hands and fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating or preparing them.

To avoid raw vegetables and fruits completely, they recommend peeling or cooking produce whenever practical. Cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit kills the parasite.

State officials said they will continue monitoring for any signs that the national outbreak has spread to Utah.