Cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness transmitted through food, are surging across 34 U.S. states. Nearly 7,000 cases are confirmed or under investigation according to the CDC. Symptoms like diarrhea and cramping can be severe. Gwen Biggerstaff, CDC Deputy Director, advises affected individuals to consult doctors for suitable antibiotic treatments. The CDC expects to identify the outbreak’s source soon.
Health officials caution that what many dismiss as a simple summer stomach bug could actually be cyclosporiasis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed over 1,600 cyclosporiasis cases domestically since May, with 5,100 more under investigation. The disease is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which spreads through contaminated food or water.
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The outbreak has particularly affected thousands in Midwestern states like Michigan and Ohio, causing extended periods of severe gastrointestinal illness. The CDC notes that symptoms usually begin about a week after consuming contaminated food or water, but the incubation period may range from two days to two weeks. People should seek diagnostic testing through their primary care physicians, reserving the emergency department for severe dehydration treatment.
Early symptoms can resemble a typical stomach bug, including abdominal pain, nausea, and watery diarrhea. Some may also experience loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss. Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency physician in South Carolina, emphasizes that the primary difference lies in the duration and intensity of symptoms.
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Routine stomach bugs usually resolve within 24 to 48 hours, whereas cyclosporiasis lasts longer with more intense symptoms like severe, watery, foul-smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramping, Perry explains. Testing for Cyclospora is possible, but must be specifically requested. The parasite is not often included in standard stool tests, and many gastrointestinal PCR panels do not detect it. Diagnosis involves stool samples and may require multiple submissions since the parasite may not always be sufficiently present for detection.
If symptoms strongly indicate Cyclospora despite a negative test, the CDC suggests re-screening. Primary care physicians are the most effective contact for diagnosis. Most routine tests in emergency departments do not screen for Cyclospora, but family doctors can order the specialized test if needed.
Checking FDA and CDC food safety alerts helps pinpoint potential exposure to recalled or implicated products. Unlike stomach viruses that usually resolve in 48 hours, Cyclospora infections last longer with more severe symptoms. Perry advises monitoring urine output to stay hydrated and suggests over-the-counter pediatric formulas, which balance salt and sugar better than sports drinks.
Anyone experiencing diarrhea lasting more than two to three days or showing worsening symptoms should contact a physician. While viral stomach bugs are generally untreatable, misdiagnoses of Cyclospora can lead to a missed opportunity for treatment. The CDC endorses trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as the standard treatment. Alternatives exist for those who cannot take sulfa drugs and should be discussed with a doctor.
Khloe Quill, a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital, explores various topics, including health, through the lifestyle team. They cover a range of subjects such as food and drink, travel, and health.
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