Several US States Reporting Cyclosporiasis Outbreaks

Warmer months lead to prime conditions for parasites

Michigan, Ohio, and New York are among the states that have reported an unusually high number of cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes gastronomic distress.

Unlike outbreaks of E. coli or Salmonella, the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite cannot be easily traced with gene matching. The parasites reproduce sexually, meaning their genetics are rearranged from one generation to another, unlike other bacteria that reproduces asexually and therefore shows less genetic variation. 

The parasite spreads though raw produce contaminated with human feces of people who have the infection. Common infected produce includes raspberries, basil, and mixed salad greens. Once the infection starts, the symptoms can last several weeks.

Diagnosis can be tricky since the eggs are shed inconsistently, and several rounds of testing might be needed to catch them. Once diagnosed however, a round of antibiotics can clear it up.

For more information, including a study on effectiveness of washing product, head over to CNN.