Parasitic illness cases are spiking: The symptoms to watch for, including 'explosive' diarrhea
Key takeaways
- 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.
- In Michigan, for example, health officials have seen more than 170 cases reported in seven counties over the past nine days.
- Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayatenensis, a parasite that is rare in the U.S.
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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.