A Parasite Outbreak Is Triggering Explosive Diarrhea Across the U.S.—How To Stay Safe
You won’t believe how gross and stubborn the culprit is. Luckily, it’s easy to outsmart!
Key Takeaways
- The Cyclospora parasite is spreading on produce and resists soap and disinfectants.
- Cook it, peel it or skip it—raw produce poses the highest risk for infection.
- See a doctor after two bouts of diarrhea; antibiotics clear it up within days.
An explosive diarrhea parasite outbreak has hit the United States, and it’s threatening to put a serious cramp in our summer fun. The culprit, a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora that causes the unpleasant condition cyclosporiasis, is being spread by contaminated produce. One thing that makes this outbreak tricky: Cyclospora is hard to wash off fruit and veggies and actually resists being killed by traditional disinfectants like chlorine.
How worried should we be about this outbreak of cyclosporiasis? How can we protect ourselves? When do we head to urgent care? For answers (and a healthy dose of reassurance!), we turned to the experts. Keep reading for everything you need to know to stay safe.
Is the parasite outbreak headed toward you?
“It could be,” cautions Robert J. Malcolm III, MD, a Pennsylvania-based gastroenterologist with St. Luke’s University Health Network. The FDA has active investigations underway, but so far they haven’t been able to pinpoint the source or sources of the outbreak. Which means Cyclospora is on the move and free to roam.
Woman's World Answers
Here’s what experts do know: The parasite is traveling on fruit and vegetables, likely from places like Guatemala and Mexico, where Cyclospora is endemic and can wiggle its way into water used for farming. But domestic produce isn’t completely off the hook. Starting in 2017, the FDA began accumulating evidence that Cyclospora now has a foothold in warm-weather states like Texas and Arizona. So it could be coming from almost anywhere. Currently, New York, Texas, Illinois and Michigan are the hardest hit, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments are actively tracking hundreds of cases across 17 states so far. The CDC has received reports of 145 cases of cyclosporiasis between May 1 and June 16 alone, but the real-world number of infections is likely about 80 times higher, according to Vanessa Coffman, PhD, an epidemiologist with the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness.
How to protect yourself from the explosive diarrhea parasite
You might think thoroughly washing all fresh produce would be the way to go, but Cyclospora is a pretty stubborn little bugger. In a 2023 study on tainted produce, even scrubbing affected veggies with detergent and then soaking them in chlorine was not fully effective in getting rid of the parasite. Dr. Malcolm says your best defense is the CDC’s time-tested food safety mantra: “Boil it, cook it, peel it—or forget it.” Cooking produce eliminates the threat entirely; and fruits or veggies you eat without the peel or rind also pose little risk. Previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, snow peas, basil, cilantro, bagged salad mix and green onions.
If you’re really craving a risky ingredient, Dr. Malcolm suggests getting it from a local farmstand or farmer’s market, since the vast majority of previous Cyclospora outbreaks have been traced to imports from Central America.
Another tip from Coffman: The parasite thrives in warm, humid conditions, so “keeping your produce in a fridge set at or below 40°F can help protect you and your family.” Coffman also advises signing up for FDA food safety alerts so you’re the first to know if a specific product is implicated.
Parasite outbreak symptoms you need to know
As advertised, “explosive, urgent, watery diarrhea is the main way you’ll know you’ve got cyclosporiasis,” says Dr. Malcolm. You may also experience intense fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever.
Once you’ve had more than two bouts of explosive diarrhea, Dr. Malcolm strongly suggests you see a healthcare provider—either make an emergency appointment with your primary care physician or go to urgent care. (Do this even if you haven’t eaten raw produce recently, as it can take up to 14 days for parasite eggs to hatch inside you and cause symptoms.) Without antibiotics, cyclosporiasis can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances with potentially serious side effects. The infection can also drag on for weeks, periodically getting better and then exploding again as more parasite eggs incubate and hatch.
Important note: If you’re immunocompromised, have kidney or heart problems or are over age 65, never try to wait it out. Potential risks of dehydration are much higher in these cases, “and delaying treatment can lead to hospitalization,” Dr. Malcolm warns.
The bright side: “The condition is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics,” he adds. “Most people feel significantly better within days.”
Hopeful news about the explosive diarrhea parasite outbreak
Not only is cyclosporiasis easily treated, you’re now armed with all the information you need to keep yourself and loved ones from getting it in the first place. “Outbreaks like these have been happening for decades. It’s gross, but generally not a big deal for most of us,” says Dr. Malcolm. “Take steps to protect yourself and take action if you get sick. But don’t let it stop you from having an amazing summer!”
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