The White House announced Thursday that it is closely monitoring a growing multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that has sickened more than 400 people across several states. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace the outbreak to its source, emphasizing that the agencies have the necessary resources despite recent staffing changes.
Leavitt told reporters, «We're committed to providing the CDC and the FDA with the resources that they need. Most importantly, [we're working to] trace the outbreak back to its original source, which we are currently in the process of doing.» The outbreak has raised particular concern because investigators have not yet identified the contaminated food, leaving consumers without a specific product to avoid as federal and state officials work through patient interviews and food supply records.
The White House comments came a day after the CDC warned it is investigating a large cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The agency noted that the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher because many infected people never seek testing or medical care. The outbreak appears to have accelerated since May, and the CDC is simultaneously investigating several additional clusters of cyclospora infections across the country.
Public health officials are interviewing patients about everything they ate in the two weeks before becoming ill as they work to pinpoint the source. Although investigators have not linked the outbreak to a specific food, cyclospora infections have historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, and berries. Officials say identifying the contaminated item remains the investigation's top priority.
Cyclospora is not typically life-threatening, but the CDC warns that some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or even longer. The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible, and stay hydrated if symptoms develop. It also advises contacting a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists.
Because routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, officials say patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite. The outbreak has heightened awareness of food safety issues, with the FDA investigating an iceberg lettuce supplier as a potential source. Reports indicate that nationwide, nearly 7,000 people may have been sickened, with 1,645 confirmed cases and more than 5,100 still under investigation. Michigan, where much of the outbreak is centered, has reported over 4,300 cases.
The CDC identified a likely link among cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky earlier this week. While the investigation continues, health officials emphasize the importance of preventive measures and urge the public to remain vigilant about food handling and hygiene.