Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Grows to 353 Infection Cases as CDC Investigates

An outbreak of cyclospora infections continues to spread, with at least 353 illnesses reported and investigators still unable to identify the source.  

The CDC indicates that a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak has spread to 15 states, including New York, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio. At least 21 people have been hospitalized as a result of illness caused by cyclospora bacteria.

Despite investigations that have been ongoing since the first infections were noticed in June and participation by 15 health care agencies, investigators say they still are unable to identify the source of the outbreak. They are also not yet certain whether all of the cases are part of the same outbreak. Traditionally, however, cyclospora infections are traced back to fresh produce.

The CDC reports that most of the victims became ill in June or July and had no history of travel outside of the U.S. or Canada in the two weeks before they got sick.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that can cause an intestinal illness known as Cyclosporiasis. The parasite is spread typically by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.

Victims typically experience illness for about a week with symptoms that include watery diarrhea, frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach pains, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. The CDC warns that infected persons also sometimes experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, fever and other symptoms that could be mistaken for the flu. However, some people infected with the parasite develop no symptoms.

The ailment is often treated with sulfa-based antibiotics, like Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The CDC warns that there are no alternative recommended treatments for patients who are allergic to sulfa drugs. The CDC also recommends victims get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.

Individuals who suspect they may have experienced illness associated with the Cyclospora outbreak should seek immediate medical treatment, and contact local infectious disease officials.