Health officials are keeping a close eye on a parasite spreading through contaminated food and water, with New York recording 121 cases since the beginning of May, according to the state Department of Health.
Officials say the case count isn’t necessarily alarming on its own. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically climb every spring and summer, and this year’s numbers track close to normal for the season. What is notable this year, however, is that New York isn’t dealing with the outbreak alone — nearly 30 states are reporting cases simultaneously.
“Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called cyclospora, and you get it through contaminated food or water, and it causes, among other things, explosive diarrhea, can also cause your stomach to feel upset, some vomiting and some muscle aches and weakness,” said Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.
While cyclosporiasis isn’t a new illness for the state, McDonald said the scale of this year’s outbreak points to a common source.
“This speaks to it’s probably something that is commonly eaten in 29 states,” McDonald said.
So far, investigators have not linked the cases to a single culprit. Instead, New York is working alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration in a state-by-state search, chasing leads and reviewing patterns from previous outbreaks.
Dr. Maryrose Laguio-Vila, an infectious disease physician at Rochester General Hospital, said past outbreaks offer some clues.
“In past years, the most frequent sources have been pre-mixed salad bags, cilantro, green onions, vegetable products that are widely distributed,” Laguio-Vila said.
Until a source is identified, doctors say thorough washing remains the best defense.
“This parasite can live on the surfaces of particularly raw fruits and vegetables. And so even when we buy it from the grocery stores, it is still good practice to wash thoroughly,” Laguio-Vila said.
Doctors treat cyclosporiasis with prescribed antibiotics and are urging people not to self-medicate, warning that taking the wrong medication can make symptoms worse. The illness can also resolve on its own without treatment, though doctors say that process can take months.
With the source of the outbreak still unknown, health officials say they are not placing a ceiling on how high case counts could climb and expect more cases both in New York and nationally in the weeks ahead.