Gut-wrecking stomach illness hits Pennsylvania
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The gut-wrecking parasite surging in the U.S. is also spreading in Pennsylvania.
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, and can cause symptoms like "explosive" or "watery" diarrhea, the CDC says.
- But some states are seeing a surge in cases beyond the usual reported incidents, raising questions about what's causing the outbreak.
By the numbers: Pennsylvania has seen 28 reported cases as of Thursday, a state Department of Health spokesperson tells Axios.
- Of those cases, 14 were in our area — southeast Pennsylvania.
- By comparison: 40 cases were reported in all of 2025, and 87 in 2024, per the health department.
Yes, but: That's probably not the full picture. The illness isn't on the state's official list of reportable diseases, so health care providers report cases voluntarily.
Zoom in: There has not been a spike in cases in Philly proper, city Department of Public Health spokesperson Jim Garrow tells Axios.
- Although he couldn't immediately provide the total, he said the city has not exceeded its baseline for cases as of early July.
Zoom out: In the U.S., at least 145 cases across 17 states were officially reported 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.
- In New Jersey, between 1 and 10 cases were reported during that time, and Delaware so far has zero, per the CDC.
Reality check: The CDC's nationwide case totals are current through mid-June, but states are already reporting much higher figures of their own.
Zoom in: Health officials do not consider cyclosporiasis to be life-threatening.
- Symptoms — which also include loss of appetite, weight loss and abdominal cramping — can last for a few days or even a month or longer without any treatment, the CDC says. Some, like diarrhea, may disappear but then return.
Treatment usually includes antibiotics, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- Some infections resolve without treatment.
Recently, cases in the U.S. have come from eating contaminated produce.
- 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, experts say.
What we're watching: It remains unclear if multiple outbreaks are happening at once or if any imported produce is suspected.