The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said that it has confirmed well over 800 infections by the food-borne parasite cyclospora in 31 states and is aware of at least 1,500 more potential cases. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
July 10 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that well over 800 cases of a food-borne parasite have been confirmed by 31 states.
CDC officials were working with state and local health agencies to investigate clusters of cyclosporiasis cases in multiple states, some of which the Food and Drug Administration is working to trace and others that have not yet been linked to a common source, the agency said in an update.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can cause watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, and in some cases require hospitalization, according to the CDC.
The parasite can be acquired when people eat or drink contaminated food or water and, although it can be spread year-round, it is considered to be a larger problem during the spring and summer months.
