Rare parasite causes spike of more than 1000 ‘explosive diarrhoea’ cases in the US
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of an outbreak of a rare parasite that causes explosive diarrhoea in the United States.
There have been more than 1400 cases of cyclosporiasis in the US in the past month, with more than 1000 in the state of Michigan alone.
A microscopic image of the cyclospora parasite. Supplied
By contrast, Michigan typically records 50 cases of cyclosporiasis in a year.
There have also been more than 500 cases in neighbouring Ohio. The disease has also been diagnosed as far afield as New York, Oregon and Texas.
The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite called the Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can spread through food and water.
It is far more common in developing countries and typically as a result of eating food contaminated with fecal matter.
While cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, many have been hospitalised in this latest outbreak.
Other symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, fever and a loss of appetite.
Michigan authorities are urging people to take various steps to avoid the risk of infection.
That includes washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating them.
Firm fruits and vegetables such as melons and cucumbers should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush.
Uneaten cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated as soon as possible.
Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts as seen through a microscope. CDC via AP
And damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables should be cut away rather than eaten.
Michigan health authorities pointed out previous outbreaks had been linked to bagged salad mixes, coriander, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.
People are advised to go to the doctor if they have had diarrhoea for more than 48 hours.
It can be treated with a course of certain antibiotics.
The federal government previously required the surveillance of food for cyclospora cayetanensis.
But the food surveillance program was dramatically scaled back by the Trump administration last year.
Now the federal government only requires checks of salmonella and E.coli.
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