Cyclospora outbreak hits Georgia as CDC reports more than 800 cases nationwide

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -A foodborne illness caused by a parasite found on fruits and vegetables has spread to Georgia, with health officials tracking cases and the cause across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 800 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis — a stomach illness caused by ingesting the parasite Cyclospora. The CDC also has more than 1,500 additional cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness. Officials note there is a six-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to the CDC, and case counts are expected to continue to rise.

Georgia cases confirmed; Savannah area yet to see an impact

Georgia is among the 31 states with confirmed cases, with between 11 and 30 positive cases reported. However, Robert Thornton, chief epidemiologist for the Georgia Department of Public Health Coastal Health District, said the coastal region has not seen an increase in cases.

“We haven’t really appreciated an uptick in cases that are associated with the larger number of cases throughout other states throughout the country,” Thornton said.

Thornton also said the illness is not transferable from person to person, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

What is cyclosporiasis?

Dr. Jim Gill, an emergency physician at St. Joseph’s/Candler, said the peak season for the illness runs from May 1 through August 31, when weather conditions allow the parasite to mature. The parasite tends to grow on soft produce such as blueberries and leafy greens like salad.

“They’re more likely to occur in areas where there are more people, because there’s more consuming going on,” Gill said. “It only takes about one to two weeks for that bug to become mature and infectious. And that is usually the transport time of some of these foods, which is why we get some of the outbreaks.”

Symptoms include watery diarrhea, extreme cramping, bloating, and nausea. Thornton said the illness can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, and in some cases up to a month.

“Often symptoms of bloating and cramping, abdominal cramping and such — not a very pleasant experience — can last anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks, even up to a month,” Thornton said.

Diagnosis and treatment

Gill said diagnosing cyclosporiasis is difficult because lab samples must be sent off for testing, and multiple stool specimens are often required.

“With cyclospora, it’s very difficult to diagnose because the lab have to be sent off,” Gill said. “It also takes multiple specimens of diarrhea to actually diagnose it often, because not all of the parasites actually show up in each sample.”

Dr. Gill said there is a treatment available.

“It can be a treatment where we have to make a decision whether or not we would treat with an antibiotic based on the symptoms,” Gill said.

How to protect yourself

Thornton said cutting away bruised areas on fruits and vegetables and washing produce thoroughly can help reduce the risk of ingesting the parasite.

“So you want to make sure to remove those areas,” Thornton said. “More or less, whenever you’re washing the fruits and vegetables, you’re washing the microbes off of the vegetables or fruits down the drain.”

Gill said the best way to protect yourself and your family is to wash hands and foods before eating, and to seek medical attention if symptoms persist.