Cyclospora outbreak surges past 1,700 cases across dozens of states, with Michigan the hardest hit. Should I be worried?
Yahoo Health • • health
Key Points:
- Over 1,700 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, have been reported across the U.S., with Michigan as the outbreak's largest cluster, surpassing its typical annual case count of about 50.
- Cyclosporiasis spreads through consuming food or water contaminated with feces containing the parasite, with symptoms including prolonged, explosive diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and sometimes fever; it is not transmitted person-to-person.
- Health officials have yet to identify a specific contaminated produce source or supplier, complicated by the parasite's slow incubation period of one to two weeks, making traceability difficult.
- Preventive measures include thoroughly washing fresh produce under running water, cooking foods when possible, and practicing good hand hygiene, especially in states experiencing outbreaks; immediate disposal of produce is not necessary.
- Those experiencing persistent watery diarrhea and stomach cramps should seek medical advice and request specific testing for Cyclospora, as standard stool tests may not detect the parasite.
