Kentucky cyclosporiasis cases mirror outbreaks in two dozen states

Kentucky health officials continue to investigate an outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has also affected over two dozen states.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health is investigating 100 reported cases and 61 confirmed infections. Kentucky usually sees 35 cases per year, but this summer's surge has dramatically exceeded averages.

Kentucky has confirmed  scattered reports in Jefferson, Oldham, Adair, Bourbon, Boyle, and Caldwell counties.

The surge follows CDC advisories linking more than a thousand cases in Michigan, and over 500 in Ohio.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with a microscopic parasite. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.

It’s less common than a number of other kinds of foodborne illnesses, including salmonella and E. coli. For years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported each year. But with better detection methods the number started rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019.

Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fatigue, and nausea. Symptoms begin 2 to 14 days after exposure and can last for weeks if untreated.

The parasite is not spread person-to-person. You can reduce the risk by washing hands after handling produce, cleaning food preparation areas and tools with soap, and washing all fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.


Photo: CDC via AP