In a sudden surge, the number of people in Michigan suffering from a parasite linked to severe diarrhea has jumped dramatically. As of Monday, the state reported 681 cases, a significant increase from just 170 cases recorded less than one week prior.
Michigan currently holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most affected state, based on the latest figures.
Other states, including New York, Illinois, and Texas, have also seen a worrying spread, with reported cases ranging from 11 to 80, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, this data reflects numbers only up to mid-June, whereas Michigan provides more recent updates.
Though some individuals infected with the parasite may not display any symptoms, the CDC notes that more severe cases manifest as watery and sometimes “explosive” diarrhea.
The illness, known as cyclosporiasis, is typically spread through consuming contaminated produce. Nevertheless, experts have yet to pinpoint the specific source causing the current outbreak.
For those who do get sick, identifying the infection as cyclosporiasis can be difficult. It requires special lab tests looking specifically for cyclospora — which are not part of a standard stool test. It’s another reason it’s possible many cases are going undiagnosed.
What is cycloporiasis?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that’s commonly transmitted by drinking water or eating raw produce like basil, cilantro, and lettuce, that was contaminated with feces.
Though we know the parasite hitches a ride on raw food, we don’t know which ones might be to blame. The CDC says cases haven’t been linked to a common source and are still investigating.
The cyclospora parasite causes cyclosporiasis, which can cause diarrhea, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Normally, this isn’t life-threatening. But severe diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, which is dangerous if left untreated, especially in young children, older adults, and people who are immunocompromised.
Alaska, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida were also reporting cases in June.
In the CDC’s June 16 report, 145 cases were reported across 17 states — Michigan wasn’t even on the map at the time. The CDC says all the people who got sick in the US and none traveled recently. 20 were hospitalized. No deaths had been reported.
What to know about cycloporiasis
Cristy Cooper, 51, spoke to The Post from the hospital about getting infected. “This is worse than like any flu I’ve ever gotten or anything, it’s just so…it’s miserable. I’m worn out from it. I really am,” she said.
Her first symptom was what she called “unbearable” diarrhea, which began on June 25. Over the next two days, she developed excessive gas, fatigue, acute vomiting, nausea and painful cramping and had a fever of 100.2 degrees — all symptoms of cyclosporiasis.
At its worst, she was using the toilet no less than 30 times a day.
Cooper is a dialysis patient and is immunocompromised, which made treatment tricky. Most people with healthy immune systems eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment by resting, staying hydrated and eating what they can tolerate.
Cooper’s fluid intake had to be carefully controlled as excess fluid could cause complications like high blood pressure and heart strain.
Cyclospora takes one to two weeks outside the body to become infectious after passing into feces. That’s why it’s very unlikely to be passing from person to person.
Treatment usually involves an sulfa-based antibiotic. She received an antibiotic regimen and is on the mend.
Cyclosporiasis is known to sometimes improve after antibiotics and come back with a vengeance. It happens when the first round of meds don’t completely wipe out the parasite, allowing them to grow and trigger another infection.
Here’s how to best reduce your risk of getting cycloporiasis.
- Cook greens whenever possible. Wash all fresh produce under running water and get into nooks and crannies where microbes can hide.