More than 400 sick as CDC searches for the source of a mystery outbreak
The CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has affected over 400 people across the U.S. Midwest since late June. Health officials are currently working to identify the specific food source responsible for the infections.
Why it matters
Rapid identification of foodborne illness sources is essential to preventing further infections and ensuring public food safety.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with state and federal health agencies to investigate several outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. Efforts to determine and confirm the sources of these outbreaks are still underway.
A large outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been reported in at least four Midwestern states. Public health officials are interviewing people who became sick to learn what foods they ate before their symptoms began.
So far, investigators have not confirmed a specific food as the source. Health agencies are continuing to gather information in an effort to identify what caused the outbreak.
The CDC says it is concerned about the rise in cyclosporiasis cases since the beginning of May. In addition to the large multistate outbreak, federal and state officials are investigating several other clusters of illness across the United States.
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