AFTER TALKING WITH A DOCTOR ABOUT THE ILLNESS. ALL OF THESE STATES HAVE REPORTED CASES OF CYCLOSPORIASIS, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN THE GRANITE STATE, WHERE TWO CASES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED. DOCTORS SAY WATCHING YOUR SYMPTOMS IS KEY WHEN DEALING WITH THIS ILLNESS. BEFORE YOU ENJOY YOUR FRESH PRODUCE THIS SUMMER, YOU’LL WANT TO GIVE IT AN EXTRA WASH. AS CASES OF CYCLOSPORIASIS ARE POPPING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN THE GRANITE STATE. THE PARASITE CYCLOSPORA SPREADS WHEN PEOPLE EAT FOOD OR DRINK WATER THAT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH FECES. IF YOU’RE HAVING SEVERAL DAYS OF DIARRHEA, IF YOU’RE NOT GETTING BETTER ABDOMINAL CRAMPING, YOU’RE BECOMING DEHYDRATED, THEN I THINK IT’S REASONABLE TO GO SEEK OUT MEDICAL ATTENTION BEFORE IT’S WEEKS. HERE IN THE GRANITE STATE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAID IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, IT’S IDENTIFIED BETWEEN 2 AND 9 CASES ANNUALLY. EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN DOCTOR DILEEP YARBOUGH SAYS TESTING FOR THIS ILLNESS CAN BE TRICKY. CYCLOSPORA DOESN’T SHOW UP ON A REGULAR PARASITE SCREEN. IT NEEDS TO BE SPECIFICALLY TESTED FOR. THEY SOMETIMES MAY HAVE TO ASK THE PATIENT TO ESSENTIALLY COLLECT A SAMPLE THREE TIMES, LIKE 2 TO 3 DAYS APART. BECAUSE THE PARASITE ITSELF IS NOT CONSTANTLY BEING SHED, IT CAN INTERMITTENTLY BE SHED, AND EVEN THE SYMPTOMS, LIKE THE SYMPTOMS, CAN ALSO BE INTERMITTENT AS WELL. BUT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN IN THE FORM OF WASHING YOUR PRODUCE OR STEERING CLEAR OF HIGH RISK FOODS. THE ONES THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO WASH, LIKE BASIL, LETTUCE AND SALAD MIXES. BUT ULTIMATELY, DOCTOR YARBOUGH SAYS THE ILLNESS IS NOTHING NEW. THE FACT THAT WE DEAL WITH ALL KINDS OF ILLNESSES ALL THE TIME, AND THIS IS JUST ONE THAT HAS SHOWN UP AND NOW WE’RE JUST BEING MORE HYPER VIGILANT OF IT. AT LAST CHECK, THERE WERE 843 CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY A
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, in 31 states — including New Hampshire. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora. The illness can come from eating unwashed produce and causes watery diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting. The latest data from last week shows there are 843 cases nationwide, and two cases are in the Granite State. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said in the past five years, it has identified between two and nine cases annually. Although the illness is not new, Dr. Dilip Yarabothu, the Medical Director of Southern New Hampshire Health Immediate Care, says people are more aware of it this year. "In the, the fact that we deal with all kinds of illnesses all the time, it's just, it's just one that has shown up, and now we're just being more hypervigilant of it," said Yarabothu.The illness is treated with an antibiotic. If someone does not undergo treatment, the symptoms will last longer.Testing for cyclosporiasis can be difficult. Cyclospora does not show up on a regular parasite screen and must be specifically tested for. "They sometimes may have to ask the patient to essentially collect a sample three times, like 2 to 3 days apart, because the parasite itself is not constantly being shed, they can intermittently be shed. And even the symptoms, like the symptoms, can also be intermittent as well," said Yarabothu. Doctors say if you are having several days of symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration, you should seek medical attention. "If you're having several days of diarrhea, if you're not getting better abdominal cramping, you're becoming dehydrated, then I think it's reasonable to go seek out medical attention before it's weeks," said Yarabothu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, in 31 states — including New Hampshire.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora. The illness can come from eating unwashed produce and causes watery diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting.
The latest data from last week shows there are 843 cases nationwide, and two cases are in the Granite State. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said in the past five years, it has identified between two and nine cases annually.
Although the illness is not new, Dr. Dilip Yarabothu, the Medical Director of Southern New Hampshire Health Immediate Care, says people are more aware of it this year.
"In the, the fact that we deal with all kinds of illnesses all the time, it's just, it's just one that has shown up, and now we're just being more hypervigilant of it," said Yarabothu.
The illness is treated with an antibiotic. If someone does not undergo treatment, the symptoms will last longer.
Testing for cyclosporiasis can be difficult. Cyclospora does not show up on a regular parasite screen and must be specifically tested for.
"They sometimes may have to ask the patient to essentially collect a sample three times, like 2 to 3 days apart, because the parasite itself is not constantly being shed, they can intermittently be shed. And even the symptoms, like the symptoms, can also be intermittent as well," said Yarabothu.
Doctors say if you are having several days of symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration, you should seek medical attention.
"If you're having several days of diarrhea, if you're not getting better abdominal cramping, you're becoming dehydrated, then I think it's reasonable to go seek out medical attention before it's weeks," said Yarabothu.
