CDC: More Than 275 Have Unidentified Stomach Bug
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Federal health authorities say more than 275 people in seven states have now been sickened with an unidentified stomach bug.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the cyclospora infections, which are often found in tropical or subtropical countries and have been linked to imported fresh produce in the past. It causes diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms.
"It's frequently produce with this type of bug," Dr. William Schaffner, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University, told "CBS This Morning."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the infection has been reported in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Georgia, Connecticut and New Jersey. Most of the illnesses occurred from mid-June to early July.
"We don't yet know whether all of the cases in the various states are related or whether they're linked to the same food item," said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Barbara Herwaldt.
The illness is spread when people ingest foods or water contaminated with feces.
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