THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260374
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAT DOOLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
The Virginia Department of Health is asking the state's physicians to watch for symptoms of a flulike illness linked to California-grown strawberries.
The infection, which is not known to be fatal, has been reported in as many as 400 people in at least 11 states since May.
One case of the infection, caused by the parasite cyclospora cayetanensis, has been reported in Virginia, said Elizabeth Turf, an epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Health. In that case, which occurred on the Eastern Shore, California strawberries could not be confirmed as a cause of the illness, she said.
California strawberries are considered a possible source of some recent cases because 37 people who ate them at a conference in Houston in May became infected with cyclospora.
June is peak season for California strawberries, which are marketed throughout the United States, including in Hampton Roads.
However, health officials said cyclospora may be carried on other fruits and vegetables, and even in tap water.
``We're still in the process of investigating,'' said Brad Stone, a spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ``No source or sources of the problem have been confirmed yet.''
Cases also have been reported in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut and South Carolina.
Health officials said shoppers can buy and eat fruits and vegetables - including California strawberries - without fear, as long as they wash them carefully.
While washing hasn't been proven to eliminate the parasite, it may lessen the chances of being infected, Stone said.
Consumers can avoid ``cross-contamination'' by washing utensils and cutting surfaces, health officials said. While cooking kills some micro-organisms, it isn't known if cyclospora can be eliminated that way.
First identified in 1977, cyclospora has been associated with contaminated water, and mostly occurs in people who travel abroad. People with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients, also may be more susceptible, Turf said.
``Now it's being seen in people who have not traveled anywhere, and who are healthy,'' she said.
The disease begins with a water supply tainted by infected feces of animals or humans. People can become ill by swallowing contaminated water or by eating produce grown with it.
Because symptoms of cyclospora resemble those of other illnesses, such as flu or salmonella poisoning, doctors often do not suspect the parasite or test for it, said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
The parasite causes watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever, Turf said. Symptoms can appear within two days to two weeks, and can last for several weeks.
Doctors are not required to report confirmed cases, Turf said. But the Virginia Health Department is asking physicians to be alert and to report suspected or confirmed cases.
It is drafting a letter that will be mailed to all doctors in the state next week, she said.
If Virginia experienced a cyclospora ``outbreak'' - three or more cases within a week or two - doctors would be required to start reporting any occurrences, Turf said.
Over-the-counter medicines are not effective against cyclospora, but doctors can treat it with a sulfa-type antibiotic.
The FDA advises anyone with symptoms to see a doctor. MEMO: POSSIBLE CAUSE
California strawberries are considered a possible source of some
recent cases because 37 people who ate them at a conference in Houston
in May became infected with cyclospora. by CNB