April 29, 2005
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - At least 30 people have gotten sick in Florida in recent weeks from a parasite that can spread illness through contaminated food or water.
State health officials usually see only a few cyclospora illnesses each year. The recent spike suggests a shared source, but investigators have not tracked it down.
"We are looking to identify any potential links that these cases have," Lindsay Hodges, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department, said Thursday. She had no breakdown on where those infected live.
Cyclospora are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can contaminate fresh produce and burrow in the small intestine. Symptoms include rapid weight loss, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, stomach cramps, muscle aches and low-grade fever.
The Health Department issued an alert to physicians and health care providers, telling them to consider cyclospora as a diagnosis.
Antibiotics can clear up the infection. Without them, it can take weeks for the infection to subside, and relapses can occur.
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