A Wisconsin woman’s honeymoon camping trip to Yellowstone National Park took an unexpected turn when she contracted Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite linked to a multi-state outbreak.
Gretchen Pleuss said she felt fine until a few days into her outdoor honeymoon, when she began experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
“I felt fine until we got out here, and a couple of days into camping here, I started having symptoms,” Pleuss said. “It was just like incessant diarrhea.”
As the illness intensified, Pleuss sought medical treatment at a local emergency room. Doctors confirmed she had contracted the Cyclospora parasite, which infects the small intestine and causes severe cramping and watery diarrhea. “It feels like your intestines are really tight, like something is seizing them,” Pleuss said.
Despite the medical setback, Pleuss said she and her husband are maintaining a positive outlook on their new marriage. “Our vows said in sickness and in health, so we’re just getting an early start on that,” Pleuss said.
Federal health officials on Thursday identified shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations as the source of the Cyclospora outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning advising consumers to avoid shredded lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants across five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
