ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) \u2014 A parasite outbreak is spreading across the country, and New York is seeing more cases than any other state.<\/p>\n
The Center for Disease Control says that so far, 145 cases have been reported nationwide since the beginning of May. New York has been hit the hardest, with between 31 and 80 reported cases. Twenty people have been hospitalized \u2014 no deaths have been reported. Patients range in age from 5 to 86 years old, with an average age of 42.<\/p>\n
Health officials believe the actual number of cases is likely higher than what\u2019s been reported.<\/p>\n
The CDC says everyone who became sick with Cyclosporiasis reported eating food before getting ill, and none had traveled in the two weeks leading up to their symptoms. Cyclosporiasis causes watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.<\/p>\n
Patients range in age from 5 to 86 years old, with an average age of 42. Health officials believe the actual number of cases is likely higher than what\u2019s been reported.<\/p>\n
As Maryrose Laguio-Villa, an infectious diseases physician with Rochester Regional Health, explains, the parasite is commonly spread through contaminated food or water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen somebody ingests it and has the infection, they can develop GI symptoms, which are predominantly watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping. They can feel bloated. They can also have gas. And it can be very low-key and subtle. So it might not be severe that somebody feels very, very sick. That needs to go to the hospital. But because it can be milder than other types of infectious diarrhea, people can eventually get sick and become dehydrated with it,\u201d said Laguio-Villa. \u201cThe most effective way of preventing getting cyclosporiasis is the common things we always recommend. It\u2019s good handwashing before you eat. It\u2019s washing your hands before you start preparing food. It\u2019s washing any raw fruits or vegetables before you prepare them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CDC says its investigation is ongoing and is urging anyone experiencing severe or prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms to contact a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n
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