A parasite that can cause extended periods of “explosive,” watery diarrhea has sickened people in nearly 40 states in recent months. And Florida could be part of the shit show.
Cyclospora cayetanensis, or what is more commonly referred to as cyclospora, is a gastrointestinal parasite that is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. The most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery diarrhea, in addition to loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and increased gas. Symptoms typically appear about one week after infection.
Case counts typically rise during the spring and summer (the CDC considers May through August the annual cyclosporiasis season). But the U.S. currently has several outbreaks with substantial increases in cases.
Since May 1, CDC reports 1,645 confirmed cases and is tracking more than 5,100 potential cases. That’s compared to the 249 cases reported nationally at this time last year.
States reporting the most infections include Michigan, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas.
Here’s what’s happening near you, Central Florida:
Since May 1, there have been 58 confirmed or probable cases of cyclosporiasis reported in Florida, the majority of which were recorded in June.
The same time period last year saw 30 cases, while 2024 saw 42, and 2023 saw 60.
Orange County currently has three recorded cases, as of Friday morning. The highest number of cases in Florida are currently reported in Lee County (9), Miami-Dade (6) and Broward (6), according to the Florida Department of Health’s Reportable Diseases Frequency Report.
There is at least one reported case in every county in Florida.
It’s important to note that the Reportable Diseases Frequency Report supplies data only up to 10 days out from a search. So stats are available currently only through July 7.
However, experts point out there could be many more cases than are listed by the DOH, News Service of Florida says.
“This infectious disease may be hard to monitor due to the nature of the signs and symptoms,” Dr. Norman Beatty, an associate professor of medicine and hospital epidemiologist at UF Health Shands, told NSF. “It’s common to get a diarrheal illness at times, and other infectious diseases can resolve on their own, but cyclosporiasis is important to identify right now because there are multiple outbreaks across the country.”
After a case is confirmed through testing, a report is sent to the Florida Department of Health. Someone with the illness who doesn’t seek medical attention would go unreported.
How not to get explosive diarrhea
The microscopic parasite infects via the intestinal tract. It’s not passed from person to person, but rather by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. It’s rarely deadly, but the infection usually lasts longer than a typical stomach bug.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis can vary and will typically appear about one week after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Infected people experience watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and increased gas. Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.
To avoid contracting the illness, individuals are advised to thoroughly wash produce and to cook fruits and vegetables before consuming them when possible. Cooking to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Federal health officials continue to investigate the origin of the widespread outbreaks. The CDC late Thursday released a warning against consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. An investigation into a link between lettuce supplier Taylor Farms and Taco Bell is underway.
However, experts say not every recent case in the country could be caused by a single source.
