Cyclospora cayetanensis (photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 36 in-state cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. Louisiana is just one of 30 states that have reported cases of the infection. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the CDC and FDA are working to find the source of the outbreak.
“The food items that are causing the outbreak can be determined. There will be tracebacks that occur, and then those food items will be recalled and won’t be served anymore; and hopefully that will resolve the outbreak,” Sokol said.
Michigan health officials suggested lettuce and salad greens could be the possible source. Usually contracted by eating contaminated food abroad, Sokol says this national outbreak suggests there is a domestic cause. She says it is almost always caused by contaminated fresh produce.
“In the past, they cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, lettuce; those types of items,” Sokol noted.
She recommends thoroughly washing all produce and washing your hands before and after handling it.
The infection causes frequent and watery bowel movements, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating and more. Severe dehydration may result in hospitalization, but cases are rarely fatal. Sokol says symptoms can last up to a month.
“The infections can be treated with antibiotics, so it’s especially important to seek advice from your healthcare provider if you think you may have cyclosporiasis,” Sokol explained.
Five Louisianians have been hospitalized with cyclosporiasis.
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