Two Oregon residents have contracted Cyclospora infections potentially linked to a national foodborne illness outbreak.
The Oregon Health Authority confirmed that two Oregon residents have developed Cyclospora infections, a parasitic gut infection known for causing "explosive diarrhea." Both individuals contracted the illness after traveling to states involved in a nationwide recall of pre-shredded iceberg lettuce. Health officials noted that the specific products associated with the outbreak were voluntarily recalled on July 17 but were not distributed within Oregon. Consequently, the administration announced that the overall risk to the public remains low. While the national outbreak is significant, Oregon has not seen an unusual spike in cases; the state has reported 23 cases so far this year, which aligns with the averages of the last five years. The Oregon Health Authority stated that Cyclospora is not spread directly from person to person. To minimize the risk of foodborne illness, officials recommend that residents wash their hands and food preparation surfaces frequently, rinse fresh produce under running water, and cook foods to the proper temperature.