CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Health has reported 47 cases of a parasite-caused intestinal illness in the last month.
The state Bureau for Public Health is investigating the increase in an intestinal illness called Cyclosporiasis. Officials said West Virginia typically only reports nine cases of Cyclospora each year. In contrast, there have been 47 reported cases since June 17.
There have been 729 confirmed cases in 30 states as of Thursday, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). West Virginia health officials said “there is no evidence of a single multistate outbreak linking all reported cases” as of yet.
Exposure to Cyclosporiasis comes through food or water contaminated by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, according to the state health department. Notably, direct person-to-person transmission is not a health department concern — the release said the parasites need days, if not weeks, in an evironment to become infectious.
The West Virginia Department of Health said food associated with outbreaks in the past have included fresh produce such as cilantro, basil, Italian parsley, pre-packaged salad mixes, raspberries, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce.
The state department of health said symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramping, bloating and increased gas, nausea and vomiting, and low-grade fever. Those symptoms reportedly start appearing 2-to-14 days after exposure.
“Healthcare providers should maintain a heightened awareness for Cyclosporiasis in patients presenting with prolonged or relapsing diarrheal illness, particularly those without recent international travel,” the West Virginia Department of Health advised.
The health department said symptoms may persist for a handful of weeks, and could resurface if left untreated.