Parasitic stomach illness that can cause explosive diarrhea rises in Louisiana

Key Points:

• Louisiana health officials have confirmed 23 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic stomach illness, slightly above the state's recent five-year average of 20 cases for this period; one person has been hospitalized with no reported deaths.
• Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, often linked to contaminated fresh produce such as leafy greens, herbs, and berries, with symptoms including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue appearing days to weeks after exposure.
• The illness is not typically spread directly between people, as Cyclospora requires time in the environment to become infectious, and cases usually increase during warmer months, with the season running from May 1 to August 31.
• The CDC reported 145 domestically acquired cases across 17 states as of mid-June, with Michigan experiencing a significant outbreak of over 700 cases; no single source has been identified for the current illnesses.
• Health officials advise those with symptoms to seek medical testing, which may require specific lab tests, and recommend preventive measures such as handwashing, thoroughly rinsing fresh produce, and cooking vegetables when possible to reduce infection risk.