The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a series of recently reported illnesses in more than 20 states, including Connecticut, linked to parasites commonly found in fresh foods.
Since the end of May, the CDC has tracked between one and five cases of an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis in Connecticut.
“When a few cases start to be confirmed, the alarms go off that this could be an outbreak,” said Ian Mickelow, M.D., of Children’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Doctors said the highly contagious virus could be spread by ingesting food or water contaminated with faeces.
“We don’t know exactly what the sources are, whether it’s all a single source or multiple sources,” Mickelow said.
Federal health officials have first investigated spikes in raw broccoli-linked cyclosporiasis cases in Georgia and Alabama, with 20 people getting sick, according to the CDC. But officials said the remaining cases in the United States were not linked to the green vegetable.
The State Department of Public Health said: food core Students are interviewing all cyclosporia cases in the state.
“As part of the CDC’s genotyping project, students will request that samples from clinical laboratories be sent to DPHL,” a DPH spokesperson said.
Apart from more common flu-like symptoms such as headaches, body aches and fever, this infection is known to cause increased stool movement, stomach cramps and nausea.
So far this year, there have been 210 reported illnesses in the United States, with 30 hospitalizations. A total of 22 states have reported the disease, but no deaths have been reported.
But doctors say immunocompromised people are most at risk of getting sick after ingesting the parasite.
“It can be caused by cancer, cancer treatments, medications that cause immunosuppression, HIV, and transplants, where pregnant women are always at risk,” Mickelow said.
But to keep you and your family safe, it’s best to prepare meals properly and keep your hands clean at all times, says Mickelow.
“Fruits and vegetables, no matter where they come from, need to be properly cooked, washed and washed with water. , be careful how you prepare your food and keep your hands clean,” Mickelow said.
Anyone infected with cyclosporiasis may experience symptoms for a few weeks to a month or longer. The disease is treated with antibiotics, and the CDC advises health care providers to report any cases to their local health department.
For more information on the disease and preventative measures, visit click here.
