Health Officials Track Growing Parasite Outbreak Across the United States

A serious intestinal illness is spreading across the United States, affecting more than half of the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 31 states have now reported cases of cyclosporiasis. This condition is a gastrointestinal affliction—a sickness affecting the stomach and intestines—caused by a tiny parasite known as Cyclospora. While the illness is rarely life-threatening, it causes uncomfortable symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, and extreme fatigue.

Following earlier reports of a large outbreak in Michigan, the situation has continued to grow nationwide. As of Thursday, the CDC had received reports of 843 cases. However, officials noted that the real number of infections is likely much higher. This is because many people recover without seeing a doctor, and there is often a delay between when someone gets sick and when the case is officially reported. In Michigan alone, local reports have already counted over 1,500 cases. Nationwide, at least 86 people have needed hospital care, though no deaths have been linked to this specific outbreak.

Health officials from states as far apart as California, Texas, and Florida have reported infections since early May. The Midwest and Northeast regions appear to be hit the hardest. In Ohio, the state health department reported 177 cases by early July. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the director of the Ohio Department of Health, warned that the public should take this situation seriously. He explained that the illness can lead to dehydration—a dangerous loss of body water—which often requires emergency medical attention.

Finding the cause of this outbreak has proven difficult for investigators. People usually get sick after eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with the parasite. In the past, outbreaks of this kind have been linked to fresh produce like raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce. For example, in 2013, tainted lettuce from Mexico was suspected of making 400 people sick. In 2018, McDonald’s removed salads from restaurants in 14 states after federal officials linked them to dozens of cases.

To identify the source of the current surge, investigators are interviewing people who have become sick to ask about their recent meals. However, this process is challenging. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after a person is infected. Because of this long gap, many patients struggle to remember exactly what they ate during the time they were exposed to the parasite. The CDC noted that the ages of those affected range from 5 to 88 years old, showing that the illness can impact anyone.

As the investigation continues, public health experts are sharing advice on how to stay safe. Cooking produce is the most effective way to avoid infection, as heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will kill the Cyclospora parasite. While washing fresh fruits and vegetables is also recommended, officials warn that these parasites are not always easy to rinse off. Home cooks are encouraged to follow standard food safety rules, such as washing their hands with soap and water before and after handling fresh food.

Looking ahead, officials expect the number of reported cases to keep rising. This is partly due to the estimated six-week gap between the start of an illness and the time it is reported to federal authorities. While it is normal for cyclosporiasis infections to increase during the spring and summer months, the CDC reported that several states have seen a much larger jump in cases over the last two weeks compared to the same time last year. For now, the public is urged to remain cautious and seek medical help if they experience severe stomach symptoms.