Woman Says Her Brother with Cancer Was Hospitalized with Cyclosporiasis: ‘It Hit Him So Hard’

A man from Indiana is currently receiving treatment in intensive care after contracting cyclosporiasis, a severe parasitic infection that has affected thousands across the United States. Cal Santana, a 65-year-old father of two, was found gravely ill by his family when they decided to check on him after several unsuccessful attempts to contact him directly.

Judy Santana, Cal’s sister, recounted to NBC News that she and her family were concerned when they could not reach him. “If we didn’t go in and find him, I don’t know what would have happened. He might not have been here today,” she highlighted. The family discovered Cal at home exhibiting severe symptoms, including continuous diarrhoea, vomiting, a high fever, and debilitating fatigue.

According to Judy, the onset of symptoms began over the weekend, and his condition quickly deteriorated. “With my brother being immunocompromised, it hit him so hard that I’ve never seen anything like that,” she expressed. His struggles with lung and kidney cancer have made him particularly vulnerable, leading to multiple admissions to the intensive care unit.

The family’s worry deepened as they waited for medical assistance to take effect. “It was really bad just to see him lying in there, and there was really nothing we could do, but just wait it out and see what’s going to happen,” Judy added. After medical evaluation, doctors confirmed the presence of the cyclospora parasite through stool tests.

Judy mentioned the chilling moment when she queried the doctors if her brother’s condition might be from food poisoning, given his recent meals. The medical team assured her it was indeed the parasite. In the days leading up to his illness, Cal had dined on Taco Bell and consumed bagged salads purchased from a local grocery store, making him seek to recall everything he had eaten in the week prior.

The Indiana State Department of Health has reported nearly 600 cases of cyclosporiasis, part of a troubling national trend. Nationwide, the outbreak has surged to over 12,000 suspected cases, predominantly in the Midwest, with more than 300 hospitalisations attributed to the illness. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically include severe gastrointestinal distress, often presenting as “explosive” diarrhoea.

Despite the worsening outbreak, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that the situation is “under control.” This assertion, however, may raise eyebrows among those directly impacted and the health officials monitoring the rapidly rising case numbers.

The cyclospora parasite thrives in contaminated food or water, and officials are urging consumers to take extra precautions. The recent spike in cases raises questions about food safety regulations and the effectiveness of current public health measures. As awareness and concern spread, communities across affected areas are left to grapple with the fallout of this harmful outbreak.

As families like the Santanas navigate the difficulties of illness and hospitalisation, the broader implications of the outbreak cannot be ignored. The need for heightened vigilance in food safety and ongoing support for those afflicted is increasingly evident. With thousands of suspected cases reported, the call for greater intervention and education around this parasitic infection has never been more urgent.