Federal health officials are investigating a new outbreak involving cyclospora, a parasite that causes diarrhea. As of Wednesday, the outbreak had affected 72 people.
The Food and Drug Administration has not yet identified which products are associated with the illnesses, nor have officials disclosed the locations of the cases.
In a separate investigation, federal officials are focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a multistate outbreak. The company recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico last week.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food after contact with human feces, typically when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infection causes intestinal illness characterized by "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements."
Federal and state health authorities are investigating multiple clusters of cyclospora illnesses, including the outbreak linked to Taylor Farms.
Health officials recommend washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against cyclospora, but soap and water eliminate the parasite.