Cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach-churning parasitic infection known for causing explosive diarrhea, have now reached 45 states as infections climb well into the thousands, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There have been 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of the illness since May 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its weekly update on Tuesday, July 28, a more than 2,500 increase since its last report on July 21.
Cases have also now been recorded in 45 states, including Florida, up from 41 last week. More than 11,500 additional cases, primarily in Michigan and Ohio, have not yet been confirmed by laboratories, the CDC said.
There have been 423 hospitalizations and no deaths, per the agency, with victims ranging in age from 1 to 98 years.
As of July 18, 158 cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Florida, according to state health data. State numbers will be updated again on July 30.
However, seasonal cyclospora infection is not uncommon in Florida — cases in the last decade have averaged nearly 250 a year — and officials have not yet linked cases here to any specific outbreak.
Federal health authorities are still investigating the sources of what they believe to be multiple separate outbreaks, the largest of which is centered in Michigan. The state reported 9,680 cases of cyclosporiasis on July 28 – numbers which differ from the CDC because they have not yet been laboratory confirmed and reported back to the federal agency for counting.
On July 29, the Food and Drug Administration raised the number of cases from one outbreak with no yet identified source to 93, up from 72 a few days ago.
“Cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to these states with known cases,” according to the CDC update. “The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis was likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.”
The CDC estimates a six-week reporting lag “so we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received.”
See map of states with cyclosporiasis cases
Is there a cyclosporiasis outbreak in Florida?
As of July 18, the Florida Department of Health has reported 158 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1:
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may vary, according to the CDC, but watery diarrhea is the most common. Others include:
Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Others may show no symptoms at all.
Symptoms can begin to show from two days to two weeks or more after infection, the CDC said. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
“While most people won’t become ill, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical care if diarrhea is severe or persists,” Dr. Kim said.
How to avoid cyclospora
The single best way to avoid the illness is to not eat food connected with it, the CDC said. That means avoiding foods linked to outbreaks, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking, even if it is labeled pre-washed.
Firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
However, since washing alone may not be enough to remove the parasite, the CDC recommends cooking produce to a temperature of at least 158 degrees.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Explosive diarrhea parasite cases top 6,700. Florida’s situation now
Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mary Walrath-Holdridge and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
