More than 90 cases of Cyclospora infections in New York have been reported this year, forty of them since July 1. That’s almost double the number of cases that are typically reported annually and health officials have not yet determined the specific source for most of the illnesses.
About 30 percent of the cases are associated with travel outside the U.S., primarily to Latin America. Historically, cases of cyclosporiasis have been travel-related. But summertime outbreaks linked to imported produce have been occurring with more frequency.
Last summer, two multi-state outbreaks were linked to imported produce contaminated with Cyclospora. One involved salads sold at McDonald’s, the other Del Monte vegetable trays sold at Kwik Trip stores. And this summer, a number of states are battling outbreaks including Massachusetts, Michigan and Florida, where between 80 and 100 patrons of Cooper’s Hawk restaurant in Jacksonville, FL were sickened.
What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that results when food contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis parasites is ingested. Food becomes contaminated with Cyclospora through contact with infected fecal matter.
Symptoms of an infection generally develop about a week after exposure and include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. But the hallmark of a Cyclospora infection is diarrhea that is profuse and often explosive. Many of our clients have reported being unable to work because they could not leave their homes due to the severity of diarrhea. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
If you have been sickened, we want to help. To request a free consultation with a Cyclospora lawyer, use the form below, call us toll-free at 1(888) 377-8900 or send a text to 612-261-0856.