CDC Investigates Root of Intestinal Infection Outbreak Jul 27, 2013 -- 7:33pm By: Laura-Jane Hatcher (WRGA News) The CDC is investigating the outbreak of a particularly nasty intestinal infection that has sickened close to 300 people in 11 states, including three people in Georgia. Cyclosporiasis is caused by a one-celled parasite typically found on imported fresh fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with fecal matter. Though the epidemic appears centered in the Midwest, CDC officials have still not pinpointed the exact cause of the outbreak, which cropped up in June. And, while some people with the cyclospora infection don’t even know they have it, Logan Boss with Northwest Georgia Public Health says those that do will have symptoms anywhere from a couple of days to a month. “Cyclospora infects the small intestine and usually causes watery diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements. Other common symptoms include the loss of appetite, weight-loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Folks can also have vomiting, fever, headaches, body aches and other flu-like symptoms.” Boss says the best prevention is to thoroughly wash and clean any fresh produce. As the investigation is on-going, public health officials have not released where in Georgia the three infected people were from, nor if their cases were related; however the victims are said to have caught the illness in mid-June and
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:40:32 +0000
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