See US States With the Most Diarrhea Parasite Cases

Key Points:

• Cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea, is surging across the U.S., with over 3,100 cases reported in 31 states as of July 10, particularly affecting Michigan, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and North Carolina.
• The infection is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, typically spread through contaminated fresh fruits and vegetables, leading to watery diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms that can last several weeks and sometimes relapse.
• Michigan is experiencing an unprecedented spike with 1,562 cases since late June, nearly 25 times its annual average, while Ohio and New York have also reported significant increases; investigations into common sources are ongoing but no single cause has been identified.
• The CDC reports no evidence of a single multistate outbreak currently but is monitoring clusters, emphasizing that the true number of cases is likely higher due to underreporting and that cyclosporiasis season usually spans May to August.
• Prevention focuses on avoiding contaminated food and water, with cooking food to at least 158°F recommended, and health officials urge anyone with symptoms like sudden watery diarrhea and stomach cramps to seek medical treatment, as antibiotics can effectively treat the infection.