Cyclosporiasis Outbreak in the United States
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Why in News
- A widespread outbreak of **cyclosporiasis**, a gastrointestinal illness, has recently surged in the **United States**. Health agencies issued strict advisories warning citizens about contaminated food and water.
Cause and Mode of Transmission
- **Cyclosporiasis** is a foodborne disease caused by a microscopic parasite called ***Cyclospora cayetanensis***.
- This infection spreads exclusively through the **faeco-oral route** when people consume food or water contaminated with fecal matter. It does not transfer directly from person to person.
Symptoms and Health Risks
- The primary symptom is prolonged **watery diarrhoea**, which usually comes with fatigue, weight loss, and stomach cramps. It poses a severe risk to **immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and children**.
- Without proper treatment, this condition can trigger serious secondary health problems like **malabsorption** of nutrients, **cholecystitis** (gallbladder inflammation), and **reactive arthritis** (joint inflammation).
Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol
- Routine screenings often miss ***Cyclospora*** because the parasite sheds irregularly. Doctors rely on specific **Stool PCR tests** to identify its DNA or **stool microscopy** to detect eggs, which requires multiple samples over several days.
- Confirmed medical cases require a **7-10 day course** of the antibiotic **trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)** along with aggressive hydration.
Sources of Infection and Prevention
- Past outbreaks and the current surge link cases heavily to eating **contaminated raw fresh produce**, including leafy greens, lettuce, spinach, basil, and cilantro.
- Chemical sanitizers often fail to eliminate ***Cyclospora*** parasites from fresh produce. Health authorities recommend thorough mechanical washing under clean running water and strict hand hygiene.