WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A parasite known for causing watery diarrhea has begun appearing in cases across the Sunshine State, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected by eating contaminated fresh produce or drinking contaminated water. Symptoms typically include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss, and can last for weeks if left untreated.
So far, Florida has reported between 1-10 cases, according to the CDC. The highest numbers of reported cases have been in states including New York, Texas and Illinois.
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As of June 16, the CDC had received reports of 145 cyclosporiasis cases in people who became ill after eating food in the United States. The agency said the cases were reported in 17 states, and the patients did not report traveling outside the country during the 14 days before becoming sick.
The patients ranged in age from 5 to 86, with a median age of 42. According to the CDC, 61% of the patients were women. Of the 145 reported cases, 20 people were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The CDC says Cyclospora spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with feces. However, direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely because the parasite takes about one to two weeks after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious.
According to the CDC, people who travel to tropical or subtropical regions are at a higher risk of infection. However, outbreaks also occur in the United States, often linked to contaminated fresh produce.
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