(NEXSTAR) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed more than 800 cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness that causes extreme diarrhea, across more than half of U.S. states. The grand total appears set to continue climbing as the agency is investigating more than 1,500 likely new cases.
The illness is cause by the cyclospora parasite, which enters the body through contaminated produce. If you're unlucky enough to ingest it, you may get stuck with weeks of watery diarrhea as well as "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC.
The exact source of this massive outbreak isn't yet known, but in the past cyclospora has largely been found on fresh fruits and vegetables that were contaminated by irrigation water tainted with feces.
Map: Cases of 'explosive' diarrhea illness continue to climb
Historically, the most commonly contaminated foods were raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas, lettuce, mesclun and salad mixes. A study reviewing outbreaks since the 1990s found cyclospora may also have contaminated blackberries, watercress, mango, and vegetable trays.
The illness is cause by the cyclospora parasite, which enters the body through contaminated produce. If you're unlucky enough to ingest it, you may get stuck with weeks of watery diarrhea as well as "frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements," according to the CDC.
The exact source of this massive outbreak isn't yet known, but in the past cyclospora has largely been found on fresh fruits and vegetables that were contaminated by irrigation water tainted with feces.
Map: Cases of 'explosive' diarrhea illness continue to climb
Historically, the most commonly contaminated foods were raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas, lettuce, mesclun and salad mixes. A study reviewing outbreaks since the 1990s found cyclospora may also have contaminated blackberries, watercress, mango, and vegetable trays.
21 days ago
