Rising Cases of Intestinal Infections Across the U.S.

Thousands of people across 32 states in the U.S. are experiencing severe diarrhea linked to intestinal infections caused by parasites found in contaminated fresh produce.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported nearly 3,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, with data from state health departments indicating the actual number might be even higher. Many individuals recover without seeking medical help and don’t get tested for the infection.

The CDC noted that states like Alaska, Arkansas, California, and several others reported at least one to ten infections each. In larger states like Florida and Georgia, the numbers climb to between 11 and 30 cases, while New York has seen infections soar from 81 to 160.

Michigan is facing the most severe outbreak, with reported cases ranging between 161 and 300. The state’s Health and Human Services department noted over 1,500 total cases, including 44 hospitalizations, marking the largest outbreak in its history.

Interestingly, while cyclosporiasis has become increasingly common, its origins remain somewhat unclear. Historically, it has been connected to fruits and vegetables that come into contact with contaminated water.

This type of outbreak typically happens in late spring and summer due to favorable conditions for the Cyclospora parasite, which thrives in warmer weather.

Dr. Natasha Bhuyan from One Medical mentioned, “Usually we see this infection in the summer, when more people eat imported fruits and vegetables. We are witnessing an unprecedented rise in cyclosporiasis cases this year.”

“Explosive diarrhea is a key symptom,” she added.

Other symptoms include appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting. The CDC describes the characteristic symptom as “frequent and sometimes explosive defecation.”

Symptoms may appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after infection, with some individuals experiencing no symptoms at all. If left untreated, the illness can persist for days or even exceed a month, with symptoms potentially recurring.

Doctors typically confirm the infection through stool sample testing.

To minimize risks, the CDC recommends the following:

• Avoid potentially contaminated food and water.
• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before consuming.
• When preparing produce, scrubbing hard-skinned items can help prevent bacteria transfer from the skin to the inside.
• Remove any damaged parts of fruits and vegetables.
• Refrigerate cut or cooked produce within two hours.