More Sickened By Parasitic Stomach Bug In IL As Cases Spike: CDC

ILLINOIS — The number of people who have been sickened by a parasite linked to different kinds of fresh produce has grown to 581 people in 31 states, including Illinois, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent update of its investigation of the intestinal infection cyclosporiasis.

The CDC and Illinois health officials are monitoring intestinal infections caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is typically spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces. Cyclosporiasis cases are monitored by federal health officials to detect outbreaks that may be linked to a common food source.

The illness can cause frequent and, at times, explosive bowel movements, stomach cramps, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Flu-like symptoms, including vomiting, headache, body aches, and fever, often accompany the infection.

The CDC said in an update last week that the 581 illnesses have resulted in 55 hospitalizations. That’s an increase from 371 cases since the last update on June 22.

Between 11-30 of those cases have been reported in Illinois, compared with a month ago when Illinois had 1-5 cases, the CDC reported.

The federal health agency said it has not yet identified the specific source of the outbreak, but said state and local health officials are interviewing people who have had illnesses to find out what foods they ate before they got sick.

There have been no deaths linked to the illnesses.

Separately, the FDA has at least two open investigations into cyclospora outbreaks. The source of those outbreaks has not been identified, but at least 150 people have been sickened.

Illnesses are reported all year, but health officials often note increased cases during the spring and summer. Reports tend to increase starting in May, but this year, cases began to spike in April.

“It is too soon to tell if this timing indicates a change in the seasonality of cyclosporiasis in the United States,” the investigation notice says.

While the illness’ cause can vary, previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.

Earlier this year, federal health officials investigated a spike of cyclosporiasis cases in Georgia and Alabama linked to raw broccoli that sickened 20 people. Officials determined the broccoli was imported.

A cause for the remaining U.S. cases has not been identified and broccoli doesn’t appear to be the source, according to officials.

To determine the cause, officials ask sick people what they ate in the 14 days before getting sick. If a common food is found, health officials will issue an advisory if the contaminated food is still available in stores or found in homes.

Anyone infected with cyclosporiasis can experience symptoms for several weeks to a month or more. If untreated, symptoms may get better for a while and then return, and this pattern may repeat, health officials said.

The illness is treated with antibiotics and the CDC advises health care providers to report any cases to the local health department.