The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak case count. Now 646 people in 24 states have been sickened. Forty-four people have been hospitalized; there have been no deaths.
The outbreak count by state is: Texas (283), Iowa (154), Nebraska (86), Florida (32), Wisconsin (17), Arkansas (12), Illinois (12), New York City (7), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), Kansas (4), New Jersey (4), Louisiana (3), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (3), Ohio (3), Virginia (3), Connecticut (2), New York (2), California (1), Michigan (1), New Hampshire (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1). Since the last update on September 4, 2013, five additional cases were reported.
Ill persons range in age from less than one year to 92 years, with a median age of 52 years. Any illnesses that occurred after July 31, 2013, may not be reported because it takes a long time to diagnose and report to public health officials. The lag time is 5 to 6 weeks.
According to one epidemiological curve, above, the peak of the outbreak occurred in did June for people in Iowa and Nebraska, and in early July for those in Texas. The outbreak in Iowa and Nebraska has been linked to food service salads produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants. The other cases have not been solved.
The symptoms of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the single-celled parasite, include watery diarrhea that may be explosive and can last for two months, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps and pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some people do not have any symptoms. The symptoms can go away and then relapse. The test for cyclosporiasis is not common and must be specially ordered by your doctor.
