Diarrhea-causing parasite that can contaminate raw produce causing misery across several states

Key Points:

• A parasite called Cyclospora is causing widespread diarrheal illness linked to raw produce across multiple US states, with 145 cases reported by 17 states between May 1 and June 16, including at least 20 hospitalizations.
• Michigan has seen a sharp increase, reporting at least 170 cases in nine days—more than triple its usual annual count—while New York State has reported 107 cases since May 1, with no single multistate outbreak identified yet.
• Cyclospora contaminates food when crops are irrigated with water contaminated by human feces, commonly affecting fresh herbs like cilantro and basil, as well as berries and melons; cooking kills the parasite, but raw produce poses a risk.
• Preventive measures include thoroughly washing fresh produce, hands, and kitchen surfaces with soap and water, as bleach and disinfecting wipes do not kill the parasite; alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended after washing.
• Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever starting 2 to 14 days after exposure, and medical attention is advised for severe diarrhea and fever, along with staying hydrated and replenishing electrolytes.