Cilantro suspected of Cyclospora concern again in Texas

Cilantro from Puebla, Mexico is suspected for Cyclosporiasis outbreak in Texas.

TEXAS — A surge in reports of Cylcospora infections has prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services to investigate in hopes of determining a common source of suspected contaminated cilantro.

"DSHS has received reports of 205 Cyclosporiasis cases from around Texas this year. Past outbreaks have been associated with cilantro from the Puebla area of Mexico. While the investigation into the current outbreak is ongoing, DSHS has identified imported cilantro as a possible source of some infections," the DSHS stated.

"Last year, Texas had 200 cases, some of which were associated with cilantro from the Puebla region in Mexico."

According to DSHS, three cases have been reported in Ellis County. Travis County tops the list with 77 reported cases and Dallas County ranks second with 17 reported cases. Nearby Johnson County has one reported case and Tarrant County has nine reported cases.

The FDA issued an import alert on Monday regarding fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health officials have identified annually recurring outbreaks (in 2012, 2013, and 2014) of cyclosporiasis in the United States which have been associated with fresh cilantro from the state of Puebla, Mexico. There is currently (in July 2015) another ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the United States in which both the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have identified cilantro from the Mexican state of Puebla as a suspect vehicle with respect to separate illness clusters," the alert read.

"FDA believes it is extremely unlikely that these outbreaks of cyclosporiasis are due to isolated contamination events because of their recurring nature, both in the timing with which they occur (typically April - August each year) and the repeated association of illnesses with cilantro from the state of Puebla. No single supplier (including retail outlets or distribution centers), packing date, shipping date, or lot code can explain all the illnesses. FDA believes the source of C. cayetanensis contamination is likely attributable to a broader source of contamination."

Click here to read the full FDA alert.

No recall has been issued as of press time.

Although DSHS recommends thoroughly washing fresh produce, the agency states Cyclospora can be difficult to wash off and washing may not entirely eliminate the risk. Cooking will kill the parasite.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Cyclospora cayentanensis causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis. Infection is obtained by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.

"The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about 1 week. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse). It’s common to feel very tired," the FDA website states.

Healthcare providers and laboratories are asked to promptly report confirmed cyclosporiasis cases to their respective local health department or the Texas Department of State Health Services (Phone: 1-800-705-8868, Fax: 512-776-7616).

Click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Cyclospora.