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Allegheny County reports 35 cyclosporiasis cases, 2 hospitalizations as officials probe connection to outbreak
CBS News • • health
Key Points:
- Allegheny County has reported 35 cases of cyclosporiasis, with two hospitalizations, but officials are still determining if these cases are linked to the ongoing multistate outbreak.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed several state cases connected to the outbreak involving iceberg lettuce, suspected to originate from a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico.
- Since May 1, over 4,100 laboratory-confirmed and 7,400 suspected cases have been reported across 41 states, with the CDC warning that confirmed cases may continue to rise due to the long incubation period.
- Cyclosporiasis is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the cyclospora parasite, leading to symptoms like severe diarrhea that can last from days to over a month without treatment.
- Health officials advise thorough hand hygiene, washing and cooking produce when possible, and seeking medical care for prolonged diarrheal illness to prevent and manage cyclosporiasis.
