Stomach bug making way across US but Arizona not hit

PHOENIX — A serious stomach bug has hit 11 states and sickened 300 people but so far the outbreak hasn’t reached Arizona.

Cyclospora is not new but the parasite is making a comeback. It can cause cramping, fatigue and diarrhea. Cases have been reported in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin. The farthest western state is Texas.

Jessica Rigler with the Arizona Department of Health Services said people could confuse the stomach bug with food poisoning. The department has alerted doctors and hospitals statewide to be on the lookout for cases.

The source of the outbreak hasn’t been pinpointed but it’s possible that a tiny parasite is coming from foods from overseas. It takes from two to 14 days to develop and the intestinal issues can linger for a month. The bug can be treated with antibiotics.

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