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Texas cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh cilantro from Mexico in some cases

While the cyclospora outbreak in the states of Iowa and Nebraska were linked to salad mix from Taylor Farms de Mexico back in August, investigations into the state that has recorded the most cases of the parasitic infection appears to have a different source, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update today.

Four Cyclospora oocysts from fresh stool stained using a modified acid-fast stain. Image/CDC (DPDx)

Four Cyclospora oocysts from fresh stool stained using a modified acid-fast stain.
Image/CDC (DPDx)

Texas has recorded 278 of the 643 cases reported nationwide, and now health officials say they their investigations reveal that some illnesses among Texas residents were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.

The CDC reports that during interviews with ill persons in Texas, about 50% reported having eaten fresh cilantro 2–14 days before they became ill. This proportion was significantly higher than that reported among ill persons in Iowa and Nebraska (reported by about 10%).

Epidemiologic and traceback investigations were conducted at three restaurants and one grocery store location in Texas, where multiple unrelated ill persons reported having eaten or shopped.

One Fort Bend County, Texas Mexican-style restaurant has been linked to a couple dozen illnesses and investigators found that fresh cilantro was the only ingredient consumed by all 25 ill persons in this study.

In addition, similar findings were noted of patrons of a single location of a grocery store in North Texas.

Preliminary traceback information indicates that Puebla, Mexico, was a source of fresh cilantro available for purchase at this grocery store location during the period when the persons who became ill purchased it.

The CDC has been notified of 643 ill persons with of Cyclospora infection from 25 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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  1. Puebla, Mexico fresh cilantro ‘suspect’ in Texas cyclospora outbreak and Wisconsin cluster | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] Texas cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh cilantro from Mexico in some cases  […]

  2. CDC: Cyclospora outbreaks ‘appears to be over’ - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] The CDC concludes that based on the findings in the investigations suggest that there was more than one outbreak of cyclosporiasis during June–August 2013 in the United States. Restaurant-associated illnesses in Iowa and Nebraska were linked to salad mix from Taylor Farms de Mexico in Guanajuato, Mexico. Some illnesses in Texas were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico. […]

  3. Biological Health Hazard – Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: Texas | Head Space says:

    […] basil, snow peas and mesclun greens. A 2013 outbreak in Texas was linked, at least in part, to fresh cilantro from Puebla, […]

  4. Texas cyclospora case count now at 124 | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] basil, snow peas and mesclun greens. A 2013 outbreak in Texas was linked, at least in part, to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.  For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the […]

  5. The Top 10 Infectious Disease and Outbreak News stories of 2013 - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] The CDC concludes that based on the findings in the investigations suggest that there was more than one outbreak of cyclosporiasis during June–August 2013 in the United States. Restaurant-associated illnesses in Iowa and Nebraska were linked to salad mix from Taylor Farms de Mexico in Guanajuato, Mexico. Some illnesses in Texas were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico. […]

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