Parasitic illness cases are spiking: The symptoms to watch for, including ‘explosive’ diarrhea

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(NEXSTAR) — Dozens of cases of a parasite-based sickness have prompted investigations across the U.S. as health officials work to determine the source.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said that between May and mid-June, it had been notified of 145 cases of cyclosporiasis. Cases of cyclosporiasis rise between May 1 and the end of August annually, but some areas are seeing even more cases than the CDC has reported.

In Michigan, for example, health officials have seen more than 170 cases reported in seven counties over the past nine days. The state usually sees around 50 cases annually. More cases are expected to be reported, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayatenensis, a parasite that is rare in the U.S. It can be spread through food and water that have been contaminated with feces. Those who become ill may have picked up the parasite while traveling to a country where it is commonly found, according to Wisconsin health officials.

In the U.S., it’s more often connected to contaminated fresh produce, like romaine lettuce, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and raspberries. The CDC is still working to determine the cause of the cases reported in the U.S. The agency said there is “currently no evidence of a single, multistate” outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis is also unlikely to spread between people, which, if you’re familiar with the symptoms, may be a relief.

Not everyone who becomes ill has symptoms. Among those who do, as the CDC and Cleveland Clinic explain, the main symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea that can be loud and “sometimes explosive.”

Other symptoms can include a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, “bloating, including burping and farting,” low-grade fever, and extreme tiredness. These symptoms can set in between two days and two weeks after infection.

If you are experiencing symptoms, the CDC recommends visiting your healthcare provider. Michigan health officials also encourage those who experience “sudden gastrointestinal illness … to be evaluated by a health care provider.”

While those with healthy immune systems may be able to recover on their own, others could be “sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer,” the CDC says. Symptoms can come and go, and you may be at risk for “severe or long illness.”

To protect yourself, health experts recommend washing produce thoroughly before eating, cutting, or cooking.

If you’re gonig to refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce, do so as soon as possible. Experts also recommend cutting away any damaged or bruised areas of fruits and vegetables before using them.

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