The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the tri-state region, public health officials and clinicians said, as larger outbreaks persist in parts of the Midwest, including Michigan.
What officials are seeing
Clinicians at Valley Health Systems in Huntington, West Virginia, report patients with the infection and describe the current pattern as a regional wave. Cyclospora is a single-celled parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness, most commonly producing abdominal cramps, nausea and fever.
“It can make you feel really cruddy and it is going through a wave right now, especially across the Midwest,”
said Matthew Christensen, chief medical officer and vice president of health affairs at Valley Health Systems.
Transmission and timing complicate source tracing
Health authorities say the parasite is most frequently associated with contaminated fresh produce, including berries and leafy greens. Investigators face a particular challenge because symptoms may not appear immediately: exposed people can take up to two weeks to become ill, which can obscure links between cases and the contaminated food item.
- Common symptoms: stomach cramps, nausea, fever.
- Typical sources: fresh fruits and vegetables, notably berries and leafy greens.
- Incubation: symptoms can take as long as two weeks to emerge after exposure.
Testing, treatment and public advice
Christensen and other local physicians stressed that cyclosporiasis is treatable when correctly diagnosed. They encourage clinicians to consider the specific test for Cyclospora when patients present with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and to prescribe appropriate antibiotics when indicated.
At present, the message to consumers is cautious but measured: health officials are not advising people to avoid all fresh produce. Instead, they recommend careful preparation and storage and prompt medical evaluation for severe or prolonged symptoms.
| Issue | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Produce safety | Wash and scrub fruits and vegetables; discard bruised areas |
| Storage | Refrigerate cut or peeled produce within two hours |
| When to seek care | If severe GI symptoms persist, see a physician and request Cyclospora testing |
Public health investigators at the CDC are continuing efforts to trace the outbreak sources while clinicians monitor and treat affected patients. In the interim, routine food-safety practices and awareness of the parasite’s incubation period can help individuals and clinicians identify possible infections earlier.
