PEORIA, Ill. – A parasite typically found in produce is having a larger than usual effect across Illinois this summer.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting more than 150 cases of Cyclosporiasis this year, higher than normal for this time of year.
Symptoms include sudden watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, and tiredness. Symptoms for it can last from 1-2 weeks or even months, with a chance of reinfection if the parasite is not cleared from the body.
OSF Healthcare’s Dr. Brian Curtis says there’s no exact explanation for the increasing number of cases, at this time.
Curtis says humans are the only host of the parasite that causes it, Cyclospora. He says summer time is typically when the parasite is found, because it’s found mostly on produce, such as cilantro and lettuce.
Curtis adds that tracking where the parasite originates from can be difficult for numerous reasons. He says one of those is an incubation period of around seven days inside the body.
“A lot of these things tend to be ingredients that have multiple ingredients. So like cilantro, it’s usually in a dish that has four or five other dishes,” Curtis said.
Curtis says it’s not a human-to-human transmission, but usually a contamination of fecal tainted water that gets into fruits and vegetables.
Curtis says one of the best ways to prevent the spread of Cyclospora is to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. He says people should also try to avoid bagged lettuce-type products, and use frozen over fresh, if possible. In addition, Curtis says cooking food completely will kill any parasite.
Curtis suggests that people go see a doctor if they have diarrhea for more than three days, or if they are feeling dehydrated or confused.
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