What To Know About Cyclosporiasis, The ‘Exploding Diarrhea’ Illness

CHICAGO — Illinois is among the states dealing with an outbreak of cyclosporiasis and the accompanying flurry of headlines with unfortunately vivid phrases like “exploding diarrhea.”

Cases of the intestinal illness are up dramatically nationwide compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since May 1, 1,645 cases have been confirmed, with another 5,100 “that require further analysis,” the CDC reported Tuesday. Only 249 cases were reported over the same period last year. 

A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed that the state is seeing a “higher-than-average number of reported cases of cyclosporiasis, consistent with what is being seen in several other states.” 

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, there have been 277 reported cases in Illinois, according to the state public health department. That includes 119 cases from people who had recently traveled outside the U.S. There have also been 23 hospitalizations related to the illness, but no deaths, the state health department said. 

But what exactly is cyclosporiasis, how does it spread and how can you protect yourself? Here’s an overview. 

What Is Cyclosporiasis? 

Cyclospora cayetanensis is the scientific name of the parasite that causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Along with diarrhea, symptoms of cyclosporiasis include cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue, according to the CDC. 

You can get the illness “by consuming food or water contaminated with feces,” according to the state public health department. Usually, outbreaks occur when water contaminated with human feces is used to irrigate fields.

What’s The Origin Of The Latest Cyclosporiasis Outbreak? 

The exact source of the recent outbreak is still unknown, though the Illinois Department of Public Health said it’s working with the “CDC and other federal, state, and local public health partners to investigate potential sources.” 

Part of the issue is that symptoms sometimes don’t begin until a week after ingesting the parasite. Plus, the sickness often goes unreported.

The CDC advises people to contact their healthcare provider if they develop watery diarrhea — especially lasting more than a few days — and they experience fatigue or a loss of appetite.

Along with getting the proper care, this will help with reporting and tracking of the illness. 

Is Fresh Produce Linked To This Outbreak? 

Past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to raw fruits and vegetables like raspberries, basil, cilantro, parsley and leafy greens, according to the FDA. 

But since the CDC doesn’t know where the source of this latest outbreak occurred, it’s uncertain which fruits or vegetables are contaminated.

What Fruits And Vegetables Are Safe To Eat? 

Any fruits or vegetables that have been cooked to 158 degrees are considered safe to eat. The state public health department also recommends fruits and vegetables with hard outer layers that can be peeled like avocados, oranges and potatoes, along with canned or frozen fruits and vegetables. 

How Can You Prevent Getting Cyclosporiasis? 

The CDC recommends washing fresh produce thoroughly under running water before you eat, cut or cook it. But only cooking can kill the cyclospora parasite. The FDA recommends cooking to a temperature of at least 158 degrees. 

Meathead Goldwyn, the Chicago-area best-selling cookbook author and creator of AmazingRibs.com, said this is an excellent reminder about the importance of using a digital thermometer in the kitchen. 

“It’s the ultimate food safety tool,” he said. “You can get a good one for 20 bucks.”

Should You Avoid Lettuce? 

Because the CDC doesn’t know the source of the outbreak, it can’t pinpoint which foods to avoid. But since past outbreaks have been tied to lettuce, which usually isn’t cooked, it’s being mentioned often as something to avoid. 

This has led many local producers to explain on social media why they aren’t concerned about their produce. 

While Pullman-based Gotham Greens, declined to be interviewed for this story, it recently posted on Instagram about the issue.

“Our salad greens and herbs are grown in controlled greenhouse environments, protected from many of the outside conditions that can affect field-grown produce. We continuously monitor and test the water used to nourish our plants to help ensure it meets our rigorous quality standards.” 

Granor Farms, a fixture at Chicago’s Green City Market, also posted on Instagram that its “produce is unaffected and safe.”

How To Keep Track Of The Cyclospora Outbreak

Currently, the state public health department’s website is providing regular updates on the number of cases in the state and other relevant information. 

You can also follow the CDC’s website for updated news about the outbreak.