A widespread parasitic disease outbreak across the United States has triggered heightened monitoring from Barbados’s agricultural and public health agencies, as the Caribbean nation works to block the pathogen from crossing its borders. On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an update confirming that at least 1,645 people across 34 states have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness linked to severe “explosive” diarrhea, with 141 patients requiring hospital care so far.
Cyclospora, the single-cell parasite that causes the infection, spreads exclusively through food or water contaminated with the pathogen, and there is no documented evidence of person-to-person transmission. Historically, most major cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the U.S. have been traced back to contaminated fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, cilantro, mixed fruit blends, snow peas, snap peas, lettuce, and pre-packaged salad mixes. The source of the ongoing 2024 outbreak has not yet been identified by U.S. public health officials.
Barbados, which imports a portion of its fresh produce from the U.S., has moved quickly to put layered monitoring protocols in place, with officials from both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture moving to reassure the public that risks are being mitigated. In a Thursday statement, Barbados’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George confirmed the health ministry is tracking the outbreak’s evolution closely, noting the parasite is most often carried by unprocessed fresh fruit and uncooked vegetables. He also issued targeted food safety guidance timed to the upcoming Crop Over Festival, a major national event expected to draw large crowds and a surge in street food vending.
Dr. George outlined key evidence-based prevention steps for the public and food vendors: thoroughly washing all fresh fruits and vegetables before preparation or service, maintaining strict hygiene standards in all food handling areas, storing raw and cooked foods separately to avoid cross-contamination, washing hands thoroughly before touching any food, keeping hot prepared foods at a minimum temperature of 140°F (60°C) or higher, and storing cold perishables at 40°F (4°C) or lower. He added that all active food vendors are required to hold a valid Food Handling Certificate and adhere to consistent good handling practices, and directed vendors with additional questions to contact their local polyclinic’s Environmental Health Department.
The chief medical officer also confirmed that as of the latest update, no confirmed or suspected cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Barbados, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has not recorded any cases across the broader Caribbean region. For most healthy people, cyclosporiasis is a self-limiting illness, with acute symptoms including watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting that typically resolve within five to seven days. The infection can also be effectively treated with antibiotics in more severe cases.
Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer Michael James confirmed the joint surveillance effort between the two government agencies, outlining the distinct responsibilities of each body. The Ministry of Agriculture focuses on pre-import screening of fresh produce to check for plant pests, verify that produce meets the country’s strict safety standards, confirm no prohibited or harmful pesticides have been used, and track the origin of all imported produce to identify potential high-risk shipments from outbreak-affected U.S. regions. All parasitic testing for human health risks falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health, James added.
James noted that a large share of the lettuce consumed in Barbados is now grown domestically, and good local agricultural practices minimize the risk of contamination on domestic harvests. As of the latest check, domestic producers have not reported any unusual increases in pest activity that would raise concern. He explained that contamination most often occurs during the harvesting and handling process, when poor hygiene among farm workers or use of contaminated irrigation water can introduce the parasite to picked produce.
U.S. health officials have echoed the basic prevention guidance shared by Barbadian authorities, reminding the public to wash hands frequently and thoroughly clean all fresh produce before consumption to reduce infection risk.