The CDC warns Taiwanese traveling to the United States to practice good hygiene and avoid consuming raw fruits and vegetables due to the worst outbreak of cyclosporiasis in U.S. history. In a Friday, July 17, press conference, spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) also assured the public that no suspected cases have been detected so far in Taiwan.

As of July 13, 1,645 cases in the U.S. have been verified, with over 5,100 suspected cases pending confirmation. The outbreak has spread to 34 states, with at least 141 people hospitalized, but no deaths reported. The U.S. CDC, FDA, and state health authorities are continuing to trace the source of infection, currently suspecting a link to contaminated raw fruits and vegetables.

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite cyclospora, primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Typically appearing 2 to 14 days after infection, the most common symptom is watery diarrhea, which may also be accompanied by abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss. Without proper treatment, diarrhea can persist for several weeks and may even recur. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis are more severe in the elderly, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.

Tseng advises those traveling to the U.S. to exercise caution when consuming raw fruits and vegetables, and to pay attention to hand hygiene. If persistent watery diarrhea occurs, seek medical attention immediately and proactively inform the doctor of your recent travel and dietary history to facilitate diagnosis and treatment.