The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offices in Atlanta are seen in 2022. The agency is investigating a rise in cyclosporiasis cases. Ron Harris/AP hide title toggle title Ron Harris/AP An outbreak of an intestinal disease that causes diarrhea, nausea and fatigue has been detected in 31 states, but the source is still under
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offices in Atlanta are seen in 2022. The agency is investigating a rise in cyclosporiasis cases.
Ron Harris/AP
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Ron Harris/AP
An outbreak of an intestinal disease that causes diarrhea, nausea and fatigue has been detected in 31 states, but the source is still under investigation, according to federal health authorities.
As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying had received reports of 843 cases of cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora.
But the actual number of infections is likely much higher, because that figure only represents cases reported by states directly to the CDC. There is also a lag between the onset of symptoms and their reporting, and many people recover from the disease without medical treatment. Michigan alone reported 1,562 cases of cyclosporiasis until Friday.
As of Thursday, there have been 86 hospitalizations nationwide and no deaths, according to the CDC.
People can get the disease by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite. Previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce. In 2018, McDonald’s removed salads from restaurants in 14 states after federal health officials linked them to dozens of cases of cyclosporiasis, and contaminated lettuce imported from Mexico was suspected of sickening 400 people in the United States in 2013.
It is typical for cyclosporiasis infections to increase in the spring and summer, but the CDC said Friday that several states had reported a larger increase in cases during the previous two weeks than during the same period last year.
Where do cyclosporiasis infections occur?
Health officials from California to Texas and Florida have reported cases of cyclosporiasis since early May.
Some of the hardest hit areas appear to be in the Midwest and Northeast, including Michigan and New York.
Ohio Department of Health reported 177 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 2, most of which occurred in June. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said cyclosporiasis is a “serious illness that can cause dehydration and requires people to seek emergency medical care, and should be taken seriously.”
According to the CDC, people who suffer from the disease range in age from 5 to 88 years.
The total number of cases nationwide is expected to increase, due to the estimated six-week gap between the onset of illnesses and the time they are reported to federal health authorities.
What is causing the outbreak?
That is still not clear. The CDC says it continues to try to identify the source or sources of the recent increase in cyclosporiasis infections.
Researchers do this in part by interviewing those who have gotten sick to find out what they ate. But since Symptoms may appear. Between two days and two weeks or more after a person was infected, they may not remember everything they ate during that period.
Previous outbreaks in the US of cyclosporiasis have been associated with raspberries, basil, cilantro, peas and lettuce, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
How to prevent cyclosporiasis
Cooking produce is an effective way to avoid infection, as heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora.
Public health officials also suggest that people thoroughly wash all their fresh produce, including herbs, although parasites are not easy to rinse.
It is also important that home cooks respect the rules food safety rulessuch as washing hands with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce.
Anyone who suspects they have had cyclosporiasis and is experiencing dehydration or severe diarrhea. is encouraged to see a doctor. Cyclosporiasis infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
NPR’s Allison Aubrey contributed reporting.
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