Cyclospora outbreak drives surge of diarrhoea cases across US states

A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has spread across at least 17 US states, with 145 cases reported May 1–June 16 and nearly 1,000 Michigan cases in a two-week span, though no deaths have been reported. The illness causes frequent, watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhoea and infection comes from contaminated food or water; person-to-person transmission is not typical. The source hasn’t been identified, though past outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce like bagged salads and herbs. Prevention tips include thorough washing of greens and, in some cases, cooking produce; the FDA notes rinsing may be unlikely to remove the parasite, while the CDC still recommends it. Because many infections go untested, the true number is likely higher and about 20 people have been hospitalized so far.”,