37 In MD Sickened In Parasitic Illness Outbreak Linked To Basil

BALTIMORE, MD — A parasitic illness outbreak has sickened 37 people in the last month, the Maryland Department of Health has announced. The cyclosporiasis outbreak has hit 11 states, and tainted fresh basil seems to be the cause of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The state Department of Health says it's working with the CDC, several states and public health and regulatory officials to prevent the spread of infections.

Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanesis.

CDC's analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that contaminated fresh basil from Mexico is the likely cause of many of the illnesses across the country, but Maryland officials have not yet confirmed the link.

It is unknown at this time if all reported cases of Cyclospora infection in the United States are linked to fresh basil. Other possible sources are also being investigated, authorities said.

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