At least 609 people in 22 states have confirmed cases of Cyclospora infections, 40 of them have been hospitalized, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That total represents an increase of eight confirmed cases since yesterday’s update.
Some illnesses have likely not been reported yet, particularly those that began after July 16. Because there is some time between the date a person first becomes ill and the date a Cyclospora infection is confirmed, illnesses occurring may not yet have been reported because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This could take up to 5 to 6 weeks.
The case counts by state are as follows: Texas (257), Iowa (156), Nebraska (86), Florida (31), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (11), Arkansas (10), New York City (7), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), Kansas (4), Louisiana (3), New Jersey (3)†, Connecticut (2), Minnesota (2), New York (2), Ohio (2), Virginia (2), California (1), New Hampshire (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1).
The case patients range in age from less than one year old to 92 years old. The median age is 51. About 56 percent are female.
Cyclospora causes symptoms which, untreated, can last for two months. They include bouts of explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should talk with their doctor about being tested for Cyclospora.
