A microscopic parasite is driving a surge in foodborne outbreaks across the United States. Public health officials are now investigating what is behind the rise in cases, which has spread well beyond a single region and drawn national attention.
The scale of the problem is clearest in one state. In Michigan, nearly 1,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness known as cyclosporiasis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two dozen other states have also reported cases, underscoring how widely the parasite has spread.
The parasite spreads through contaminated food or water. Those who fall ill can experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating, fatigue and nausea, and in some cases vomiting. The illness can take a heavy toll over several days.
The timing fits a familiar pattern, but with a worrying twist. Infections usually occur during the summer months, yet this year states are already seeing more cases than normal. That early and elevated spread is part of what has prompted health experts to look more closely at the outbreaks.
The CDC has offered some reassurance about the course of the illness. Symptoms can take anywhere from two to fourteen days to appear, and the illness is not usually life threatening. It can often be treated with antibiotics, though without treatment it can last from a few days to more than a month.
In the meantime, officials are focusing on prevention. Health experts are urging people to thoroughly wash fresh produce and to cook vegetables when possible. For leafy items such as lettuce, they advise removing the outer layers of leaves first and then washing thoroughly, while produce with a firmer skin should also be washed carefully.