Parasite Outbreak Causes 'Explosive Diarrhea' Across the US

A parasite that causes severe diarrhea has been spreading across the United States, making thousands of people sick in recent weeks. The illness is called cyclosporiasis, and it is caused by a tiny microscopic parasite that people cannot see with the naked eye. Cases have been reported in at least 17 states, including Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Texas. Health officials are working to find out where the outbreak started and how to stop it from spreading further.

The main symptom of cyclosporiasis is diarrhea that is frequent, watery, and sometimes described as explosive. Other symptoms can include stomach cramps, nausea, and a loss of appetite. If a person does not get treatment, the illness can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms can even seem to go away and then come back, which makes the illness especially frustrating for patients.

People get infected by eating food or drinking water that contains the parasite. The parasite is not spread from person to person, so you cannot catch it by being near someone who is sick. Instead, experts believe the parasite gets into food at the farm level, possibly through contaminated water used to irrigate crops. This makes it very hard for investigators to trace exactly where the outbreak began.

Michigan has been hit the hardest, with nearly 1,000 cases reported in just a two-week period as of July 8. Illinois reported 141 cases on July 7, which health officials called a 'higher-than-average' number. Ohio has reported around 177 cases as well. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC, had counted 145 cases between May 1 and June 16, though those numbers are now much higher. No deaths from the outbreak have been reported, but 20 people were sick enough to be admitted to the hospital.

The true number of sick people is likely even higher than what has been reported. Some people recover on their own without seeing a doctor, so they are never tested for the illness. It usually takes about one week after a person is exposed to the parasite before they start feeling sick. Because of this delay, it can be hard to figure out exactly which food caused the illness.

Past outbreaks of this parasite have been linked to raw produce, which means fruits and vegetables that have not been cooked. Foods connected to previous outbreaks include bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions. No specific food, farm, or supplier has been identified as the source of the current outbreak yet. Health experts say contamination usually happens at the farm or during irrigation, which makes investigations very difficult.

Michigan's health department has given restaurants and home kitchens some tips to reduce the risk of getting sick. They recommend thoroughly washing all leafy greens and raw produce before eating. When possible, they suggest cooking raspberries and leafy greens instead of eating them raw. Removing the outer layers of lettuce and green onions is also advised as an extra safety step.

The CDC recommends that people rinse their produce even though the US Food and Drug Administration says rinsing is unlikely to fully remove the parasite. Anyone who has diarrhea is urged to contact a doctor and ask about being tested for cyclosporiasis. Doctors can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and help patients recover more quickly. Health officials say the best thing people can do right now is stay informed and take simple steps to handle food safely.