FDA reports new cyclospora outbreak as North Carolina eyes cilantro, parsley

Key Points:

• Federal health officials, including the FDA, have identified a new cyclospora outbreak linked to an unspecified product, with the source still under active investigation through traceback efforts.
• North Carolina is investigating over 560 possible cyclospora cases since May 1, potentially connected to parsley, cilantro, and lettuce.
• The FDA has been probing multiple cyclospora outbreaks nationwide, including a major one tied to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which led to a voluntary recall of lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
• Cyclospora causes cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness marked by severe diarrhea, and is typically contracted through contaminated food or water; cooking kills the parasite, but washing produce may not be sufficient.
• The CDC has confirmed over 4,100 lab-confirmed cases since May 1, with thousands more suspected, including nearly 2,000 linked to the iceberg lettuce outbreak, though state reports suggest actual case numbers, such as Michigan's 7,664 confirmed cases, are significantly higher.