Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
Diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora sickens thousands across several states — with Michigan getting hit the hardest. Should I be worried?
Direct human-to-human transmission is unlikely, according to the CDC.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal, stomach-churning illness caused by a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water that contains the parasite. The symptoms of cyclosporiasis are similar to those of other food-borne illnesses like norovirus, E. coli or salmonella, except that cyclosporiasis "lasts longer and symptoms can get a little better and then they can come back," Dr. Jade Le, infectious diseases service line chief at Access TeleCare, told Yahoo.
How do people get sick from it?
Some types of imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro, have been linked to cyclosporiasis outbreaks, according to the CDC.The initial source of the parasite, however, is unclean water, said Le.
Cyclospora spreads through feces. Produce on a farm could potentially become contaminated with feces if the water source that supplies that farm, such as a lake reservoir, is itself contaminated with feces or sewage, Le said. Farm produce could also become contaminated if a worker doesn't wash their hands after going to the bathroom and then handles the produce.