The stomach bug of 2013 called Cyclospora (Cyclo - spora) is becoming an
outbreak of tropical illness in the United States and continues to spread to
more states on a daily basis. Cyclospora
cayetanensis is a parasite composed of one cell which is too small to be seen without a
microscope. This parasite causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.
As of July 26, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is following the outbreak on a map. Click here
for the CDC link.
As of July 25, 2013, the CDC has been notified of 321 cases of Cyclospora infection in residents of multiple states and one city, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Florida, New York City, Wisconsin, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio. Illinois and Kansas have also notified CDC of one case each that may have been acquired out of state but in the United States.
Click here
to follow the newest and updated CDC investigation:
- Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through early July.
- At least 18 persons reportedly have been hospitalized in three states.
- No food items have been implicated to date, but public health authorities are pursuing all leads. Previous outbreak investigations have implicated various types of fresh produce.
- It is not yet clear whether the cases from all of the states are part of the same outbreak.
- No common events (e.g., social gatherings) have been identified among the case patients.
Causes of stomach bug
Cyclospora:
The cause of the Cyclospora infection which is called Cyclosporiasis
is due to a single-celled coccidian parasite.
Symptoms of the
stomach bug Cyclospora:
- Watery diarrhea (most common)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Other symptoms that may occur but are less common include:
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever
“If a person ill with cyclosporiasis is not treated,
symptoms can persist for several weeks to a month or more. Some symptoms, such
as diarrhea, can return; and some symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue,
may continue after the gastrointestinal symptoms have gone away. The infection
usually is not life threatening. Some infected persons do not have any
symptoms, particularly persons from areas where cyclosporiasis is endemic.”
Diagnosis of the
stomach bug Cyclospora:
“Cyclospora infection is diagnosed by examining stool
specimens. Diagnosis can be difficult in part because even persons who are
symptomatic might not shed enough oocysts in their stool to be readily
detectable by laboratory examinations. Therefore, patients might need to submit
several specimens collected on different days.”
Treatment of the
stomach bug Cyclospora:
Most people who have a healthy immune system will recover from
the stomach bug without treatment. If not treated, the illness may last for a
few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one
or more times (relapse).
According to the CDC, anti-diarrheal medicine may help
reduce diarrhea, but a health care provider should be consulted before such
medicine is taken. People who are in poor health or who have weakened immune
systems may be at higher risk for severe or prolonged illness.
