S. outbreak of parasite Cyclospora (Cyclospora) intestinal infection outbreak, there have been cases in 31 states. Among them, the epidemic in Michigan is the most serious. The health department reported on Monday (13th) that the number of related cases has increased to 2640, an increase of more than 1000 from last Friday. 470 cases were also recorded in New York. Patients suffered from severe diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and dehydration after contracting the disease. Some even had diarrhea dozens of times a day and were completely unable to eat.

Cyclospora disease peaks in spring and summer

Cyclosporiasis (cyclosporiasis) is an intestinal infection caused by a cyclospora parasite, usually transmitted through contaminated food or water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cyclosporiasis infection usually increases in the spring and summer months, with the epidemic around May to August.

The outbreak in Michigan is serious, and the number of related cases has increased to 2640. The Associated Press

Without treatment, the disease can last from a few days to more than a month, the CDC said. Reuters

Since this wave of infection began in May, there have been more than 3000 cases of Cyclospora infection in the United States. In Michigan, the outbreak has spread rapidly, with 2640 cases reported as of Monday morning, including 44 hospitalizations. Ohio has reported 361 cases since June 1, and at least 46 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported yet.

Suspected to be linked to contaminated salad dishes

Michigan health officials say evidence now points to lettuce or other salad leafy vegetables as a possible source of the pathogen, but investigators have not completely ruled out other foods. Michigan pointed out that in the past, the outbreak has been related to fresh food, including bagged salad mixes and some herbs.

In addition to Michigan, there were 470 cases in New York, 364 in Ohio and more than 100 cases in Illinois and Florida respectively.

Cyclosporiasis usually does not spread directly from person to person, and symptoms usually appear within days of eating contaminated food, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and fatigue.

10-day course of antibiotics

Patients can be treated with a 10-day course of antibiotics after diagnosis. Without treatment, the disease may last from several days to more than a month, and symptoms may recur after initial remission, the CDC said.

According to the CDC website on July 9, 31 states in the 50 states have reported a total of 843 cases, of which 86 were hospitalized. At the time, the CDC said more than 1500 cases still needed further analysis and confirmation.

The CDC previously stated that its surveillance data only includes laboratory-confirmed cases notified by the states, and that state-level data may include both suspected and confirmed cases, so the number of cases may be high.