The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) is reporting an increase in cyclospora cases around the country. Now at least 283 people are sick in 21 states as of August 12, 2014. That is an increase of 48 cases compared to last week.
One hundred sixty, or 57%, of the cases were reported in Texas. Of those people, at least 116 Texas patients did not travel during the two weeks before they got sick. Cyclospora is endemic in sub-tropical regions. If the patients did not travel to those areas, they most likely got sick by eating a contaminated food.
More patients are being interviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to discover what percentage of cases are linked with travel. Most of the cases were reported in July. Maine and Massachusetts are also investigating case number increases.
A common source for these infections has not yet been identified. Last year, a huge cyclospora outbreak sickened at least 631 people in 25 states. Not all of those cases were solved. In the past, cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh product, including basil, lettuce, cilantro, raspberries, snow peas, and mesclun.
The symptoms of a cyclospora infection include violent and watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, weight loss, boosting, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. If you have been sick with these symptoms, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
