Cyclosporiasis in Florida: 154 cases of ‘explosive’ diarrhea parasite confirmed, 26 in Tampa Bay area

Florida released the latest cyclosporiasis numbers as cases of the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasite surge across the country.

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. health officials are investigating over 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis across the country, and Florida has released its latest numbers of the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasitic infection.

According to the latest data, there have been 154 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in Florida, including 26 in the Tampa Bay area, between May 1 and July 18. Since the last update, 60 more confirmed cases have been reported in Florida.

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Here’s a look at the cases confirmed locally:

Polk County: 6 casesPinellas County: 6 casesPasco County: 3 casesHillsborough County: 4 casesHighlands County: 2 casesManatee County: 2 casesSarasota County: 2 casesHernando County: 1 case

Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite cyclospora, isn’t new. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers May 1 through Aug. 31 “cyclosporiasis season,” as higher temperatures can create conditions more suitable for the parasite to live in fresh produce.

The CDC says 41 states are reporting cases of cyclosporiasis, with 308 hospitalizations since the outbreak was first reported in May. There have been no reported deaths in the outbreak.

Additionally, CBS News reports there may be a secondary cyclosporiasis outbreak from an unspecified source, which has resulted in at least 10 case. 10 Tampa Bay News has reached out to the FDA for comment.

It’s a hot topic right now because U.S. health officials weren’t able to connect recent cases to any particular source until July 16, when investigators identified lettuce supplier Taylor Farms as a possible source.

A high percentage of people who fell ill from the parasite ate items at Taco Bell that had shredded iceberg lettuce. When the FDA asked Taco Bell for the source of the lettuce for restaurants in the primary four affected states, it was Taylor Farms, sources said.

The FDA initially reported on July 18 it had identified the parasite in a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, but retracted its findings the next day, calling the result a “false positive.”

Still, the FDA has an active investigation into Taylor Farms. The lettuce brand recalled all lettuce sourced from Mexico in the U.S. market on July 17.

The CDC has warned customers to avoid Taco Bell menu items with shredded iceberg lettuce in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, as the number of confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in those states exceeds 1,000.

TEGNA Digital’s Jennifer Campbell-Hicks contributed to this report.