The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and states are investigating an increase in cyclosporiasis cases across the country.
Cyclosporiasis, or the disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has been confirmed in 1,645 cases as of July 13 and more than 5,100 additional cases are under investigation, according to CDC data. CDC officials said confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in 34 states.
CDC officials said a cluster of cases in four states — Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky — is possibly linked.
Data from state health departments suggests the total number of cases may be higher than publicly reported. Officials in Michigan are tracking more than 2,600 infections as of July 13, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Parasite infection can cause explosive diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms. Officials are investigating whether any food or produce items are the source of the increase in cyclosporiasis cases.
CDC officials said symptoms may appear two days to two weeks after someone becomes infected with the parasite. The organization also issued a health alert to doctors, other medical providers and public health officials about the outbreak.
Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, said the total number of people infected with the parasite is likely much higher than publicly reported because many people with mild illness recover without medical care and are never tested.
The number of confirmed and suspected cases this year is “much higher than last year or the year before that,” Biggerstaff said. “It’s a huge change from what we’ve seen in previous seasons.”
The CDC said public health teams are testing samples from confirmed and suspected cases to identify clusters of related cases. State and local public health officials are also tracking possible common sources of infection.
While the CDC has not confirmed a single source of the outbreak, Biggerstaff cited an increasing number of cases linked to products imported or harvested in the United States in recent years.
If the Food and Drug Administration receives “actionable information” about contaminated sources, the agency will try to remove those products from the food supply and provide guidance to consumers, said Donald Prater, the FDA’s acting deputy commissioner for food.
Prater said the FDA is investigating several produce items — including lettuce identified by Michigan state health officials as a possible source of contamination — as well as locations where infected individuals said they visited before becoming ill.
This story is developing and will be updated.
Reporting by Ken Altker, USA TODAY/USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.