One year after a cyclospora outbreak swept through 25 states sickening 631 people, new cases of infection (cyclosporiasis) from the rare parasite have been reported in Maine and Texas. At least 61 cases have been reported in Texas. In Maine, four cases have been confirmed and test results on two other cases are pending.
Health officials have not yet identified a food source for the outbreaks or established if cases in both states are related. Texas was hardest hit in last year’s outbreak with 270 cases. Maine was not part of the 2013 outbreak and has not seen a case of cyclospora since 2010.
Maine’s four cases this year were reported between June 24 and July 7. For three of those patients, onset of illness began between May 27 and June 15. The Texas cases were also reported over the last month.
Symptoms of a cyclopora infection, called cyclosporiasis, can last up to two months and include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms are also possible.
Cyclosporiasis is commonly treated with the antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. If untreated, relapse is possible. During last year’s outbreak, 49 people were hospitalized.
Cyclospora is normally found in tropical regions. Last year’s outbreak had multiple food sources but most of the illnesses were linked to tainted produce imported from Mexico.
About 80 percent of the cases were reported from just three states: Iowa, Nebraska and Texas. Public health officials in Iowa and Nebraska, which together had 227 cases, determined that the food source in those states was commercial bagged salad mix produced by Taylor Farms of Mexico and served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Federal and state officials concluded that many of the 270 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas were caused by contaminated cilantro imported from Mexico.
