Cyclospora cases increases in Texas and reach 304 sickened across U.S.

In Texas Cyclospora is linked with cilantro imported from Puebla, Mexico.

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) is reporting an increase in Cyclospora cayetanensis 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.

Cyclospora Outbreak 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 is 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 and snow peas.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it had been notified of 304 ill persons with confirmed infection in 2014. Cases were reported from Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington.

It added that there is no evidence to suggest that any illnesses outside of Texas are linked to cilantro from Puebla, Mexico and investigations are ongoing in other states.

Among 204 persons with available information, ill persons range in age from three to 88 years, with a median age of 49 and 115 (56%) are female.

Reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas have returned to baseline levels in August so it is likely that the outbreak has ended.

Cyclospora is acquired by people ingesting something - such as food or water - that was contaminated with the parasite. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis

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.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2014/index.html