Ohio cases linked to multistate parasite outbreak from leafy greens

Health officials have identified contaminated lettuce and salad greens as the source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Ohio and 16 other states.

The CDC has confirmed more than 140 cases and 20 hospitalizations nationwide.

FULL STORY: Health officials find source of diarrhea-inducing parasite in Ohio. Here’s what to know

Here are key takeaways:

• Ohio has reported between 1 and 10 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases, fewer than states like New York, Texas and Illinois but still notable enough to prompt state action.
• The Ohio Department of Health is working with neighboring states and federal partners to investigate the outbreak, conducting interviews and traceback investigations to pinpoint common exposures.
• Cyclospora is a parasite spread through food or water contaminated with infected fecal material. Symptoms typically appear about a week after exposure and can last for weeks without treatment.
• The CDC and state health departments have shifted their guidance from “consider other foods” to advising people to avoid or properly handle raw leafy greens, though no specific grower or supplier has been named.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.