A parasite known for triggering severe, sudden bouts of diarrhea has been detected in California as a rapidly expanding outbreak spreads across the U.S., and health authorities caution that the state’s reported totals likely represent only a small share of actual infections.
According to state figures, between one and 10 California cases have been connected to the wider multistate outbreak while officials continue monitoring its reach.
Health officials say the true number is probably higher because many people recover without visiting a doctor or being tested, detection requires specialized lab work, and confirmed cases may take around six weeks to appear in official reports.
In California, most reported infections so far have been associated with international travel rather than the growing outbreak affecting multiple states.
Nationwide, at least 2,944 illnesses have been reported across 32 states, with Michigan experiencing the heaviest impact.
Michigan has logged 1,562 cases — about 31 times its usual annual total of roughly 50 — and at least 44 residents have required hospitalization.
Investigators are looking into whether tainted food is fueling the surge, though no particular produce item, distributor, supplier or farm has been identified as the source.
The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which commonly spreads through food or water contaminated with fecal matter.
Previous outbreaks have been traced to imported fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, snow peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro.
According to the CDC, the illness can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”
Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Symptoms usually begin about one week after infection, although they can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks later, making it more difficult for investigators to determine where someone was exposed.
The CDC recommends treating cyclosporiasis with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly sold as Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim, over a 10-day course.
As investigators continue searching for the source of the outbreak, some Taco Bell restaurants have temporarily removed fresh ingredients from their menus as a precaution.
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Locations, including some in Metro Detroit, posted notices telling customers they were temporarily unable to serve lettuce, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo and guacamole because of a nationwide recall while health officials respond to the increase in cyclosporiasis cases.
Restaurants in outbreak hot spots, including Michigan and Ohio, have also pulled raw lettuce, onions, cilantro-onion mix, pico de gallo and guacamole from their menus.
However, neither the CDC nor the Food and Drug Administration has linked Taco Bell to any reported illnesses.
