Source of Buckhead Parasite Outbreak Still Unclear

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Georgia public health officials are working to locate the source of a parasite which has made dozens of metro Atlanta residents, especially Buckhead residents, sick with an intestinal illness.

Local doctors are diagnosing more and more cases of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora. The parasite can be ingested by humans from salad mixes, fresh herbs, and berries, according to Fulton County health officials. Washing these items with water may not be enough to kill the parasite, officials add.

The CDC says that cyclosporiasis is marked by watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted.

Although it sounds like a serious illness, doctors told 11 Alive News that cyclosporiasis isn’t life-threatening. Still, anyone who feels they may have contracted the parasite is urged to visit a doctor for a professional diagnosis and course of treatment.

The treatment for cyclosporiasis includes fluids, rest, and antibiotics such as Bactrim, Septra, or Cotrim.

11 Alive News began crowdsourcing reports of the illness in an effort to track down a source of the contamination; information provided by people who had gotten sick or knew someone who had gotten sick caused investigators to focus on restaurants in the vicinity of Chastain Park. A restaurant manager 11 Alive spoke with said they are in regular contact with the health department and have submitted to additional health inspections since the outbreak began.