Gut-wrecking stomach bug mysteriously surges in U.S.
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An outbreak of a gut-wrecking parasite is plaguing the U.S. as health officials investigate what's driving an increase in cases.
The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.
- The infection typically spreads during the summer months, but some states are seeing a surge in cases beyond the usual reported incidents, raising questions about what's causing the outbreak.
- Health officials do not consider cyclosporiasis to be life-threatening. Symptoms, which include "explosive" or "watery" diarrhea, can last for a few days or even a month or longer without any treatment, the CDC says. Some symptoms, like diarrhea, may disappear but then return.
Driving the news: At least 145 cases across 17 states were officially acquired in the U.S. between May 1 and June 16, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- New York has the highest number of reported cases, followed by Illinois and Texas.
Reality check: The CDC's nationwide case totals are current through mid-June, but states are already reporting much higher figures of their own.
- "The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis was likely higher than the number reported," the CDC notes.
Case in point: In Michigan, the number of documented cases jumped from 170 on July 1 — which is more than triple the number usually reported in the state each year — to 572 by July 4.
What we're watching: It remains unclear if multiple outbreaks are happening at once, if any imported produce is suspected and if Michigan's outbreak is separate from the national rise.
- "There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate cyclospora outbreak linking all cases," the CDC says. "Investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing."
How do you get infected with cyclosporiasis?
Zoom in: Cyclosporiasis — which is caused by an infection with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis — does not transmit person-to-person, per the CDC.
- Instead, the condition often spreads from food or water contaminated with feces.
- Recently, cases in the U.S. have come from eating contaminated produce, especially during the summer months. The CDC considers the cyclosporiasis season to be May 1 through Aug. 31.
- The people most at risk are those who are "living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world where cyclosporiasis is endemic," the CDC says.
Context: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified some produce items that have caused outbreaks since the 1990s, including raspberries, basil, salad mixes, cilantro, berry and fruit mixes, lettuce and snap peas.
What are the symptoms of the stomach bug?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can vary person to person, but they can appear from days to two weeks after infection, the CDC says.
- "Watery diarrhea is the most common symptom of cyclosporiasis," per the CDC.
Other major symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating
- Gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Less common symptoms include: vomiting, body aches, headache, fever and other flu-like symptoms.
Treatment usually includes antibiotics, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- Some infections resolve without treatment.
How to avoid cyclosporiasis and the outbreak
What to watch for: Experts recommend washing produce under running water before eating or cooking.
- Firm produce items, like cucumbers or watermelons, should be scrubbed with a clean brush.
- Bruised or damaged areas of fruit should be cut off, too, experts say.
Go deeper: What to know about the surging "winter vomiting bug"
