The recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis is not a laughing matter to people who have caught it. The Cyclospora parasite has been infecting thousands of people across multiple states. The intestinal issues it causes are enough to cause serious health problems for those with pre-existing conditions. Even for those who don’t, the amount of explosive diarrhea it causes is enough to make you really hate your life for a while. That didn’t stop the humorous content from happening when Taco Bell got linked to things.
We wanted to take a brief, serious look at this, though, to separate the rumors and facts.
Dark Humor vs. Reality
Let’s get this out of the way first. There is a kind of ironic humor to the idea that Taco Bell is potentially causing people to have explosive diarrhea. The restaurant is already joked about for leaving people emptier inside than when they came in. Insert your own fart, stomach ailment, and poop jokes here. That’s not actually a fair reputation to have. Yes, some people might have problems digesting spicier foods and the like, but fast food in general causes issues too. The outbreak of cyclosporiasis, though, wasn’t initially spoken of in the same sentence as Taco Bell until the chain started altering its menu.
In recent days, certain menu items have been dropping off the list of available foods. Things like lettuce, cilantro, Pico de Gallo, and guacamole all started disappearing. But this isn’t because of any official link to the parasite. At least not yet. The issue with these types of produce is that they are prone to harboring bacteria and other organisms that can cause digestive problems. For example, a 2018 outbreak of E. coli was linked to romaine lettuce. There was a major outbreak in 2006 as well that was tied back to prepackaged, fresh spinach. So, the items that Taco Bell is removing are simply things that could carry contaminants.
Source: Unknown
Some people who contracted cyclosporiasis said they ate at Taco Bell; others say they didn’t. It could be a situation where a supplier for multiple different chains and markets has a bad crop, so to speak. Right now, the restaurant chain is reportedly under investigation. However, that doesn’t mean there’s a proven link. The Cyclospora parasite is transmitted through contaminated feces. If that comes into contact with water or food, the parasite spreads to infect those who consume that material. It can be up to two weeks before symptoms show up. This makes contact tracing more difficult. All the more reason why increased emphasis needs to be placed on tracking down the source of the outbreak so people know what to avoid.
We’re hopeful that this comes to a close soon. Joke all you want about Taco Bell, but if what’s causing this outbreak is out in the open, then you run the risk of infection even by avoiding the fast food chain. This is one really crappy situation you don’t need. Yes, the pun is fully intended, but so is the actual sentiment behind it.
