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What to know about the U.S. outbreak of cyclosporiasis : NPR
NPR • • health
Key Points:
- An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness causing diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue, has been reported in 31 states with 843 cases confirmed by the CDC, though the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting and delays.
- Michigan has reported 1,562 cases, and other hard-hit areas include Ohio and New York, with a total of 86 hospitalizations nationwide but no deaths as of the latest reports.
- The source of the outbreak remains unknown, but past outbreaks have been linked to contaminated fresh produce such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce.
- The CDC advises thorough washing of fresh produce and proper cooking to at least 158°F to kill the Cyclospora parasite, and recommends seeking medical care for severe symptoms, as the illness is treatable with antibiotics.
- The number of cases is expected to rise due to the typical delay between infection onset and reporting, and health officials continue to investigate by interviewing those affected to identify the contamination source.
