Yuma residents react to cyclosporiasis outbreak
Lauren Duffel
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, NBC) – Yuma residents are sharing their reaction to the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
The CDC has confirmed 1,645 people have contracted the food-borne illness called cyclosporiasis across the country.
The agency issued a health alert this week confirming the information, with the alert stating another 5,100 cases are being investigated as cyclosporiasis.
Symptoms of the illness, which is caused by eating raw produce like leafy greens, raspberries and cilantro, include cramping, nausea, vomiting and prolonged watery diarrhea.
The stomach illness has spread to 34 states, including Arizona and California. Arizona has 19 cases, with three cases being confirmed in Yuma County.
News 11 reached out to the Yuma County Health Department with questions about the cases, and they issued the following statement:
“We want to remind the public to be please be aware of the symptoms. Early detection is important, particularly for young children and the elderly. Symptoms may be more severe in these populations and can quickly lead to dehydration or other complications.”
Yuma County Public Health Services is urging residents to take basic precautions to protect their families.
The steps include washing fresh produce thoroughly before eating, following safe food handling and storage practices, and practicing proper hand hygiene.
Taylor Farms, who is being investigated as a possible source of the outbreak, released a statement Friday, saying they are voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico out of circulation in the U.S.
The statement also says, The FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm as the potential source of the outbreak,” and “no other Taylor Fresh Foods products across the country are impacted.”