What’s the Most Prevalent, Multistate Outbreak NOT Making Headlines?

Measles and chicken pox, soon to be joined once again by influenza, seem to get all the headlines but right now there’s a less talked-about infectious organism wreaking havoc literally from coast-to-coast. As we speak, nearly 1,700 new cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in 33 states since May 1. Worse, the pace of the outbreak is picking up steam as the weeks fly by. As recently as July 23, there were “only” 580 cases in 30 states. At least 92 people have been hospitalized, with no reported fatalities, to date. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citing reports from state health departments, multiple clusters of cases have been associated with different restaurants and special events. Symptoms of this gastrointestinal infection include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, gassiness, nausea, and fatigue. Treatment is most often trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Urgent care clinicians who see patients with symptoms of unknown origin are advised to recommend stool test for Cyclospora specifically, especially in areas where cases have been reported. For more information, visit the CDC website.