A collaborative investigation by the CDC and FDA into a Cyclosporiasis outbreak has verified that 145 individuals in 17 states have contracted a gastrointestinal parasite, with no connections to international travel. This indicates the presence of a contaminated food or water source within the United States that remains unidentified. The outbreak has predominantly impacted individuals aged 5 to 86, with Florida and Georgia experiencing the highest rates of infection. Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis, which include severe diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and prolonged fatigue, can easily be confused with a common stomach virus, potentially resulting in critical delays in receiving treatment with the antibiotic Bactrim.
