Arkansas added to list of cyclospora outbreak states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Arkansas to its list of states connected to an ongoing outbreak of a parasitic illness linked to lettuce, the state health department confirmed Wednesday.

The microscopic parasite known as cyclospora has sickened thousands of people across the U.S. in recent weeks. Arkansas and five other states were added to the list, bringing the total number linked to the outbreak to 15. 

As of Wednesday, 205 cyclospora cases have been confirmed in the state, according to the health department. The majority are concentrated in northwest Arkansas. More than half of identified cases are in Benton County.

Michigan, which has logged more than 12,000 cases, announced the first known deaths connected to the outbreak earlier this week. The two people who died had “significant underlying health conditions,” Michigan’s health department said.

The parasite can cause severe diarrhea, as well as nausea, cramping and loss of appetite. Austin Porter, Arkansas’ state epidemiologist, said in a statement that not everyone infected will have symptoms.

“Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times,” Porter said. “Anyone who suspects they have cyclosporiasis should contact their healthcare provider.”

The federal government identified lettuce sourced from the Mexican arm of Taylor Farms, which sells lettuce to fast food chains and restaurants as well as through grocery stores, as the likely source of the outbreak last month. People can become infected by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with feces. The company recalled bagged lettuce distributed in 27 states.

Porter said produce linked to the recalls was distributed in Arkansas.