Cyclosporiasis
Prelims:
Science & Technology, Health
Mains:
GS Paper II-Health, GS Paper III-Science
& Technology
Current relevance:
The United States has reported a major outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with over 1,600 confirmed cases across 34 States, prompting public health advisories by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Highlights:
Cyclosporiasis:
1.
It is a foodborne gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic
parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
2.
It spreads through the faeco-oral route by consuming food or
water contaminated with human faeces
containing the parasite.
3.
It is
not transmitted from person to person and spreads only through the
consumption of contaminated food or water.
Adverse Health Effects:
1.
Severe dehydration.
2. Malabsorption of nutrients.
3. Cholecystitis (inflammation of
the gallbladder).
4. Reactive arthritis
5. Symptoms
may persist for several weeks or recur if left untreated.
Treatment:
1.
The recommended treatment for
cyclosporiasis is a 7–10-day course of
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), along with adequate oral rehydration to prevent dehydration.
2.
Individuals with weakened immune systems
may require a longer duration of treatment depending on the severity of the
infection.
preventive measures:
1.
Strengthen
food safety surveillance and disease monitoring systems to
enable the early detection and effective control of foodborne disease
outbreaks.
2. Promote good hygiene and safe food
handling practices throughout the food supply chain, from
production and processing to distribution and consumption.
3. Enhance public awareness and demonstrates how foodborne parasitic diseases can spread rapidly through contaminated fresh produce.
Source: THE HINDU- https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hinduinternational9bn2/20260717/281904484941648?srsltid=AfmBOopx_klOzQybpcl2tdrKsTPLZ3aYSWdwAjn1eqDHn7mvuO7o1Nf2