CDC Investigates Widening Cyclosporiasis Outbreak in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively investigating a parasitic illness spreading across the United States. This outbreak of cyclosporiasis has affected at least 145 individuals in 17 states, leading to 20 hospitalizations due to severe symptoms.

Health officials are focusing on clusters of cases in New York, Illinois, and Texas. New York has been particularly impacted, with between 31 and 80 reported cases since the outbreak began. Other affected states include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Cyclosporiasis is a food poisoning caused by a parasite. Infection typically occurs through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Although not life-threatening, the illness can produce severe symptoms such as cramps, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting. The CDC notes the most common complaint is watery diarrhea, which can be frequent and explosive in nature. Without proper antibiotic treatment, symptoms can persist from a few days to over a month, and may recur.

The age range of those infected is broad, from 5 to 86 years old, with the average age being 42. The CDC highlights a greater risk of infection for those living in or traveling to tropical or subtropical regions, where the parasite is prevalent.

In this outbreak, only 45 people reported travel outside the U.S. before falling ill. This leads health authorities to suspect a domestic food source, although the exact cause remains unidentified.