A parasitic infection is spreading across 34 states, causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms including explosive diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible, enters the body through contaminated food and water and typically affects the small intestine.
The infection, called cyclosporiasis, produces watery diarrhea that can last weeks without treatment. Symptoms appear 7 to 10 days after exposure and include fatigue, loss of appetite, and stomach cramping alongside diarrhea. Some people experience no symptoms at all, making the parasite difficult to track.
Health officials trace most cases to contaminated fresh produce, particularly berries, lettuce, and other imported vegetables. The parasite survives in soil and water, making proper food handling critical. Person-to-person transmission doesn't occur, so infection requires direct contact with contaminated food sources.
Prevention centers on food safety practices. Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under running water, even items labeled pre-washed. Choose cooked foods over raw produce when traveling to areas with known outbreaks. Avoid drinking untreated water from streams or lakes. Healthcare providers recommend triple-washing produce or using produce washes for high-risk items.
Treatment involves specific antibiotics, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, prescribed after diagnosis. Doctors identify cyclosporiasis through stool samples examined under a microscope, though multiple samples may be needed since parasite levels fluctuate.
Those experiencing persistent watery diarrhea lasting more than a few days should contact their healthcare provider. Older adults, young children, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risk of severe illness.
The CDC monitors cyclosporiasis cases nationally. Individuals can report suspected infections to local health departments, helping track outbreak patterns. While