What to know about "explosive" diarrhea-causing parasite reported in several states

Michigan is experiencing its largest-ever outbreak of Cyclospora infections, with nearly 1,000 residents diagnosed with the parasitic illness that causes prolonged, watery diarrhea. The outbreak, which began in late May, has also led to about 40 hospitalizations. Officials are investigating similar illnesses across 28 other states, with 17 states confirming cases, including Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines, leading to symptoms like frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. While typically not life-threatening, the illness, cyclosporiasis, can be debilitating and often occurs in the late spring and summer. The parasite spreads through feces, and infections are commonly linked to consuming fruits or vegetables contaminated with feces-infused irrigation water.

Past outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada have been traced to contaminated produce such as bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and scallions. However, the specific source of the current widespread infections has not yet been identified. Health experts note that Cyclospora infections are less common than other foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli, but cases have been rising over the past decade, possibly due to climate change and improved detection methods.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, confirmed a linked outbreak is occurring, though pinpointing the exact cause for Cyclospora surges can be challenging. The U.S. has seen a significant increase in reported Cyclospora outbreaks in recent years, with a notable spike in 2018 and 2019. Comprehensive data remains limited, but available information indicates that only a few documented outbreaks in the last two decades have surpassed 1,000 cases.

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there is clearly a linked outbreak happening right now