CDC and other health officials warn about cyclosporiasis outbreak nationwide
As of Aug. 2, 206 cases of Cyclospora infections from 27 states had been reported to the CDC in patients who became infected in the United States and became ill on or after May 1.
Government health agencies are tracking an increase in reported cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, and are advising clinicians to consider the diagnosis in patients with prolonged or remitting-relapsing diarrheal illness.
In a release from the Health Advisory Network, the CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments advised that clinicians must specifically order testing for Cyclospora, whether testing is requested by ova and parasite examination, by molecular methods, or by a gastrointestinal pathogen panel test. Testing may require several stool specimens because Cyclospora oocysts may be shed intermittently and at low levels, even in persons with profuse diarrhea.
Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease, so clinicians should report suspected and confirmed cases of infection to public health authorities and contact the local health department if assistance is needed with reporting or submitting specimens.
As of Aug. 2, 206 cases of Cyclospora infections had been reported to the CDC in patients who became infected in the United States and became ill on or after May 1. These cases came from 27 states, most of which usual report relatively few cases. Eighteen cases involved hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.