If there was one word you wouldn’t want to hear in front of the word “diarrhea,” it’d be “explosive.” Unfortunately, it’s a combination that some Americans are personally experiencing right now, thanks to ongoing outbreaks of a parasitic foodborne disease called cyclosporiasis.
According to the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention, there have been nearly 150 cases of cyclosporiasis reported across 17 states since early May, with close to two dozen people needing hospitalization as a result. The true toll of cases is almost certainly higher, though, and no clear food source behind these outbreaks has been identified as of yet.
Loud and explosive
Cyclosporiasis is caused by various species of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, though it’s predominantly Cyclospora cayatenensis.
It usually takes about a week to feel sick after being infected, and the main symptom of cyclosporiasis, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is “loud, watery (explosive) diarrhea.” Joy. The infection can also cause fatigue, loss of appetite, and vomiting, though some people infected with the parasite are fortunate enough to avoid any symptoms at all. People generally feel better after a week or two without the need for treatment, though symptoms can last up to a month. While the infection is rarely fatal, people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe illness.
Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease in 47 states, meaning doctors and testing labs are obligated to report any confirmed cases to their local or state health departments. According to the CDC, cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. tend to increase during the warmer months, and this year is no exception. Between May 1 and June 16, there have been 145 domestically acquired cases in 17 states reported to the CDC; of these, 20 people have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been recorded. There have also been 45 reported cases associated with travel (meaning they were likely infected outside of the U.S.).
As is often true for foodborne illness, however, there are probably a lot more hidden cases out there, since many infected people might not seek medical attention over their symptoms. Diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that routine stool testing for cyclosporiasis isn’t conducted in most labs, meaning doctors have to request specialized tests, and many people might not shed enough of the parasite in their poop to be detectable at first, often requiring multiple days of testing.
According to the CDC data, the biggest outbreak is currently in New York, which has reported somewhere between 31 and 80 cases, but it’s likely not the only state that needs to be worried.
“Local, state, and federal (CDC, FDA) public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state. Investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing,” the CDC reported in its latest update on June 18.
There already seem to be larger clusters of cyclosporiasis than currently documented by the CDC. On Tuesday, for instance, Michigan health officials reported that more than 150 cases have been seen in southeastern Michigan across several counties since June 22. A representative for Monroe County specifically told Gizmodo Wednesday that 90 cases have been documented in the county so far.
What to do
Cyclosporiasis is transmitted through eating food and water that’s been contaminated with infected poop, and outbreaks are often linked to produce. So far, no common sources of infection appear to have identified by the CDC or local heath departments for these latest clusters, but there are still steps you can take to lower your chances of contracting it.
The CDC recommends always washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables; washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking (if the produce is labeled prewashed, then you don’t need to do it again), and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours if possible).
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