Updated
Updated · The Journal News · Jul 5
New York Reports 112 Cyclospora Cases, With 107 Since May 1
Updated
Updated · The Journal News · Jul 5

New York Reports 112 Cyclospora Cases, With 107 Since May 1

3 articles · Updated · The Journal News · Jul 5

Summary

  • New York has confirmed 112 Cyclosporiasis cases outside New York City since Jan. 1, and 107 of them were reported after May 1.
  • CDC data show 145 cases across 17 states from May 1 to June 16, with New York accounting for most reports even though officials say no single multistate outbreak has been identified.
  • Cyclospora infects the small intestine through contaminated food or water—often produce such as cilantro, salad mixes, basil, snow peas and raspberries—and is not usually spread person to person.
  • Symptoms can start about a week after exposure and include prolonged watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea, weight loss and fatigue; doctors diagnose it with a stool test and typically treat it with antibiotics.
  • Health officials are investigating and urging produce washing, safe drinking water and handwashing as cases typically peak between May and August; no deaths had been reported nationally as of June 16.

Insights

As hundreds fall ill across 18 states, why is the source of the massive Cyclospora outbreak still a complete mystery?
Is this summer's widespread parasite outbreak a direct warning of how climate change will threaten our food supply?