It hits without warning. Then it’s everywhere.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite causing a surge in stomach infections across the US. More than a dozen states are involved. The symptoms? Watery diarrhea. Lots of it. Experts call it explosive because nothing else quite fits.
Michigan is the eye of the storm right now.
On the weekend of July 4th, cases in the state jumped from 170 to over 570. In just a few days. That number dwarfs the typical 50 cases Michigan sees all year.
But the Midwest isn’t alone. The CDC reported 145 confirmed cases across 17 states by early July. Alaska. Florida. New York. Pennsylvania. The list goes on.
Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease professor at UCSF, called the spike “notable and striking.” He expects more states to report cases in the coming weeks. And they probably will.
The CDC thinks the real count is higher. Many people recover on their own. They don’t go to a doctor. They never get tested.
“The scale of the outbreak… is striking,” Dr. Chin-Hong notes. “We can expect more cases from other states.”
No one knows where it started yet. Not exactly.
How You Get It
You eat contaminated food. Or water. That’s how.
It’s not catching this from the person sitting next to you at dinner. The CDC says person-to-person spread is unlikely. You have to swallow the parasite.
This isn’t random chaos. It’s seasonal.
Robert Hopkins, MD, director of the National Foundation for Infective Diseases, points out that outbreaks happen between May and August. Always the same window. Why? Because summer means more fresh produce. Salads. Berries. Raw veggies.
Tropical regions handle Cyclospora daily. The US gets hit primarily through imported produce. Basil has caused outbreaks before. Cilantro. Mesclun lettuce. Raspberries. Snow peas.
Domestic crops aren’t immune anymore.
In July 2019? The FDA found the parasite in US-grown cilantro.
Once swallowed, the parasite burrows into your small intestine. It destroys the lining. Your gut stops absorbing water or nutrients. Then inflammation hits. Water rushes through your system unabsorbed.
That’s the “explosive” part. High-volume diarrhea. Forceful. Uncomfortable.
Signs You’ve Been Hit
Symptoms show up anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.
Watch for:
- Frequent watery diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Low-grade fever
- Nausea
Vomiting? Rare. Weight loss? Yes.
Most healthy people feel better in a week or two. Dehydration is the real danger. It can lead to hospitalization if ignored. Drink fluids. Contact a doctor. A stool test confirms it.
Antibiotics like Bactrim work. But here is the thing. You might not even need them.
A healthy immune system often clears it on its own. That said… ignoring it makes things worse. Symptoms can persist. They can come back.
Who suffers most?
The CDC data shows a wide range of ages. Five to 86 years old. About three-fifths of the patients are women. But Dr. Hopkins warns that severe risk falls on specific groups. Young children. The elderly. Those with compromised immune systems—cancer patients, transplant recipients. They face longer bouts. Harder outcomes.
Protection Is Tricky
Rinsing your spinach might not help.
The parasite is hardy. A quick wash under the tap? It leaves the parasite right there on the leaves.
Heat works. Cooking food to 158°F kills it. Michigan health officials advise this strongly.
If you are eating it raw?
You need better cleaning practices. It won’t be perfect, but it helps.
- Wash your hands. Before and after prep.
- Wash fruits and veg under running water. Thoroughly.
- Scrub firm skins. Melons. Cucumbers. Use a clean brush.
- Cut away bruised areas. Don’t risk it.
There is no perfect solution for raw produce. Only layers of defense.
And honestly? Some of this luck is out of your hands.
