A parasitic infection called cyclospora, often transmitted through contaminated food or water, is spreading across the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports at least 843 cases of the illness — which can cause weeks of watery diarrhea, as a primary symptom — and 86 hospitalizations, as of July 9. The country’s numbers of cases and hospitalizations likely exceed those numbers, as it takes time for the CDC to receive reports from state health departments, which are reporting above-average numbers of cases in places as far-flung as Michigan, New York, Kentucky and Texas.
The outbreak has not yet been linked to a common source, leaving businesses in sectors like restaurants, grocery stores and agriculture in limbo about both next steps and the outbreak’s potential economic impacts. Stocks across those three industries largely held steady on Monday, and spokespeople from multiple restaurant chains — including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Restaurant Brands International, the parent of Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs — told CNBC that they’re aware of the outbreak, but haven’t yet seen any evidence that their ingredients are at risk.
Meanwhile, as national and state health departments work to pinpoint the cause of the outbreak, here are a few facts about cyclospora and what you can do to stay safe.
3 things to know about cyclospora
- Cyclospora is not a fatal infection and rarely causes death. “There’s no evidence that the parasite has evolved to become more infectious,” Dianna Blau, the CDC’s acting parasitic diseases branch chief, told the Associated Press on July 9.
- The source of this current spread of cyclospora is unknown. Outbreaks in the past have often been linked to fresh produce like raspberries, basil, cilantro, lettuce and more. The best ways to prevent food-borne illnesses are to wash your fresh produce before consuming it, and wash your hands before handling and preparing foods, according to the CDC.
- If you have symptoms like watery diarrhea, weight loss and loss of appetite, the CDC recommends seeing your primary healthcare provider instead of trying at-home remedies to resolve the issue. Health professionals can prescribe you appropriate treatment, and reporting your infection helps to improve the CDC’s surveillance of the outbreak.
— CNBC’s Yun Li contributed reporting.
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