The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed between 50 and 199 domestic cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1. The DPH is not aware of any Georgia-specific outbreaks or clusters.
“I think what you are seeing is the natural course of an outbreak, in that you will always have cases show up later as the identification is able to be done and that could take several weeks,” said Northside Hospital Gwinnett Dr. Peter Kaplan.
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Kaplan told Channel 2’s Tom Regan while hospital staff has treated cyclosporiasis patients but says it’s doubtful they are tied to contaminated lettuce produced in Mexico by a farm operated by Taylor Farms.
“We see cases sporadically throughout different times of the year, and this outbreak has occurred during the summer. I can’t say we have seen any rises in cases related to this outbreak,” said Dr. Kaplan.
The CDC reports 11,458 illnesses have been linked to the outbreak with 495 people hospitalized and two deaths.
“I’m not surprised. This is largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history and the United States has a very complicated fresh produce supply network,” said Emory University School of Medicine Professor Joel Barratt, Ph.D.
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Barratt spent eight years working in the CDC laboratory responsible for investigating parasitic outbreaks. He fears they will become more common.
“There has been an historic lack of funding and support for parasitic disease research. I think If we want to address problems like Cyclosporas in our food system, I think the work on public response research has to be supported,” said Barratt.
Barratt also said he believes the outbreak will subside, going into the fall.
Cyclosporiasis infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and weakness for day or weeks. It can be treated with antibiotics.
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