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Parasite causing explosive diarrhoea hits 31 US states with over 3,000 cases

A Cyclospora cyclosporiasis outbreak has seen more than cases reported across 31 US states, with Michigan the worst affected with over 1,500 cases - The parasite causes watery and explosive diarrhoea

[Man with stomach pain]

The parasite is causing chaos in the US (stock)

At least 31 states are grappling with a surge in cases of Cyclospora, a parasitic infection that can trigger weeks of explosive diarrhoea, as thousands of instances emerge across the nation.

State figures reveal that at over 3,000 cases have been documented in at least 31 states. Michigan has been hit hardest so far, with 1,562 cases, including at least 44 hospitalisations, recorded on July 10. Ohio is also facing an outbreak.

This represents the largest outbreak of its type in the state's history and ranks amongst the most significant witnessed nationwide in recent years.

No deaths have been documented, and the origin of the cyclospora infections remains unidentified. Meanwhile, investigations into similar illnesses are ongoing in 28 other states, including Ohio, where residents living just across the Michigan border are also becoming unwell.

[Thousands sickened by explosive diarrhea parasite]

The map from the CDC shows which states are suffering from the parasite outbreak(Image: CDC)

Michigan officials first revealed the outbreak last week, when more than 170 cases had been confirmed - all clustered in the southeastern region of the state - since June 22. The state usually records only around 50 cases each year, reports the Irish Star.

By Wednesday (July 8), that number had rocketed to 992, with roughly 40 hospitalisations documented. Just across the state boundary, Lucas County, Ohio, had registered 306 cases as of Wednesday, with northwest Ohio accounting for more than 500 cases altogether.

Cyclospora outbreaks can prove especially tricky to investigate, with identifying the source of food poisoning seldom being straightforward. It's a microscopic, spherical parasite that usually causes watery diarrhoea "with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is seldom fatal and is typically treated with antibiotics.

[Technician holding a specimen container with stool sample for cyclospora test]

Cyclospora outbreak continues to rise in the US (stock)

What is Cyclospora and how do you catch it?

Episodes of this disease tend to surge during late spring and summer periods. The heat-loving bug attacks the bowels and spreads via faecal matter.

In the past, people have picked up infections by consuming fruit or vegetables exposed to irrigation water tainted with excrement. It's less common than various other forms of food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli.

For years, only a small number of US cyclospora outbreaks were recorded each year. Yet cases started rising about ten years ago, with an especially dramatic increase in 2018 and 2019.

Specialists attribute the uptick to climate change and enhanced detection techniques. While comprehensive data on cyclospora outbreaks is somewhat scarce, the available records show only a few documented outbreaks exceeding 1,000 cases in the past two decades.

Cases seem to be surging particularly in and around southeastern Michigan, although the situation has not been declared a national health emergency.

There's no evidence to suggest the parasite has become more infectious, according to Dianna Blau, the acting chief of the CDC's parasitic diseases branch.

Every year, thousands of cyclospora infections are reported across the U.S., and it remains to be seen how significant this year's figures will turn out to be, she added. However, the current number of cases is four times higher than at the same time last year, based on existing CDC national data, which significantly lags behind state-level reports.

Michigan appears to be bearing the brunt of the impact, though the state's proactive approach to investigating and documenting cases could be "part of the reason why this looks like a Michigan problem," Bagdasarian suggested. Officials advise anyone suffering from diarrhoea that lasts more than a few days to seek medical advice and discuss the possibility of a cyclospora infection.

How to prevent getting the infection

The most reliable method for avoiding parasitic infection involves staying away from potentially tainted food or water sources. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be cleaned meticulously prior to eating.

Nevertheless, it's worth noting that cyclospora can cling stubbornly to certain foods, which means washing by itself might not fully remove the threat of infection.

As Michigan authorities continue their efforts to pinpoint the likely source, they're urging shoppers to purchase complete lettuce heads rather than pre-washed, packaged lettuce or salad combinations, and to throw away the outermost two to three leaves before washing the remaining foliage under flowing water. They're also suggesting cooking vegetables wherever possible.

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