The latest update on the contaminated cilantro outbreak came from the Center for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration. They report that the stomach illness has affected around 380 people spanning 26 states. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection brought about by contaminated water or fresh produce. The main contaminant is human feces.
According to the federal investigation, the outbreak seems to have started after May 1 from cilantro imported from Mexico. Cyclosporiasis causes diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. The infection can last for weeks at a time, possibly even a month, if left untreated.
It is possible that the parasite from human intestinal tracts had made its way to the produce through the cilantro fields, contaminated water, or during its processing and packaging.
The Associated Press had already pointed to Puebla, Mexico as the point of origin for the outbreaks in Texas and Wisconsin. Georgia also reported clusters of people who were also affected by cyclosporiasis. No other official federal statement named the rest of the states affected by the contaminated cilantro.
A report from al-Jazeera America also reveals that "contact with the parasite shed from the intestinal tract of humans" is the root cause.
This is not the first time this has happened. In fact, cilantro from this exact location had been the cause of the same outbreaks in 2012, 2013, and 2014. A partial ban had been implemented starting late July. The ban prohibits the entry of cilantro from Puebla from April 1 to August 30 of every year.
Investigations were launched to get to the root cause and findings show that 11 farms in the area do not have sufficient toilet facilities. Also, toilet paper and feces in the fields was a common sighting. The ban will be in effect until the farms can show the proper sanitation documents before entry into the US.
