Cyclospora updates more than 1,600 people infected since May

The parasite season, particularly that of Cyclospora, shows no sign of an anticipated end, with the CDC reporting that more than 1,600 people have been infected since May 1st.

Laboratory-confirmed patients cover 33 states and the District of Columbia, according to an update released last Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report makes a clear distinction between cases of "cyclosporiasis" contracted in Canada "among people in the United States and infections among people who traveled abroad in the 14 days prior to their illness.

Of the patients for whom complete information is available, 92 were so ill that they had to be admitted to the hospital. The CDC reported that the number of cases had increased over the previous month and that "the number of cases remains high in the United States since May 1".

"While cyclosporiosis cases are reported throughout the United States, cyclosporiosis is contracted in the United States. . . is more common in spring and summer, "according to the CDC report." The exact timing and duration of the US cyclosporiosis seasons may vary, but reports tend to increase as of May.

In previous years, the number of reported cases had peaked between June and July, although the activity could last until September, according to the CDC.

"Currently, national public health authorities, the CDC and the FDA, are investigating several case groups associated with different restaurants or events," the CDC reported.

Some of the infected patients this year are associated with a group of diseases related to the consumption of fresh basil imported from Siga Logistics of RL de CV of Morelos, Mexico. Federal officials continue to investigate this multi-state epidemic. They also work to identify common denominators among other infected people.

Many cases of cyclosporiasis could not be directly related to an outbreak, in part because of the lack of validated molecular typing tools for C. cayetanensis according to the CDC update.

The CDC update on Thursday evening also reported the median onset of the disease on June 29th, with the overall range running from May 1st to August 13th.

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