A honeymoon to remember took a drastic turn for a newlywed couple from Wisconsin when one of them ended up in hospital with a parasitic infection while celebrating in Yellowstone National Park. Gretchen Pleuss, who recently tied the knot, found her romantic getaway interrupted by a severe case of cyclosporiasis, a condition she suspects was contracted from shredded lettuce in a sandwich.
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Pleuss began experiencing symptoms just a few days into their camping trip in the picturesque badlands. Initially feeling fine, her condition deteriorated, leading to what she described as “incessant diarrhoea” and severe abdominal pain. In an interview, she recalled, “I felt fine until we got out here, and a couple of days into camping, I started having symptoms.”
The severity of her symptoms resulted in a visit to a local emergency room, where medical staff confirmed her diagnosis of cyclosporiasis. This parasitic infection is known to cause intense gastrointestinal distress, with symptoms often including watery and explosive diarrhoea, as well as fatigue and loss of appetite. Describing the pain, Pleuss explained, “It feels like your intestines are really tight, like something is seizing them.”
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Pleuss and her husband have endeavoured to maintain a positive outlook on their honeymoon experience. “It’s still our honeymoon, so we’re making the best of it,” she said. Sharing a sense of humour about their situation, she added, “Our vows said, ‘in sickness and in health’, so we’re just getting an early start on that.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently 1,644 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across five states in the United States, which have led to 94 hospitalisations. There have been reports of more than 5,100 potential cases that require further investigation to verify as occurrences of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.
The current outbreak is primarily associated with shredded iceberg lettuce, which has raised concerns across various establishments. Taylor Farms, a California-based agricultural firm that supplies lettuce to restaurants and stores across the U.S., took the precautionary step of recalling all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. “Based on information provided by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market,” the company announced in a statement.
The FDA has identified a specific independent farm as a potential source of the outbreak, although it represents less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply. In the interests of public safety, Taylor Farms has decided to indefinitely remove all lettuce from the affected region.
This lettuce recall has also impacted fast-food giant Taco Bell. The restaurant chain reported that it has removed all potentially contaminated lettuce from its locations. In a statement on July 17, Taco Bell confirmed, “As of July 17, we have completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from our restaurants.” The company assertively pursued this action in line with ongoing consultations with public health officials and as a measure of precaution.
The CDC advises that symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically manifest about one week following exposure, highlighting the importance of food safety and handling. The primary symptoms—watery and often explosive diarrhoea, similar to what Pleuss experienced—can lead to significant discomfort and health complications.
As public health authorities continue to investigate the ongoing outbreak, affected individuals like Pleuss are reminded of the need for vigilance regarding food consumption, particularly from sources under scrutiny. With their honeymoon momentarily altered by illness, Pleuss and her husband are nonetheless focused on making the best of their situation as they navigate this unexpected health risk.