AS an “explosive diarrhoea” parasite rips through the US, symptoms can be difficult to tell apart from those of a normal stomach bug.
But if left untreated, the foodborne illness can take much longer to recover from.
Lettuce could be a potential source of the infection in the US Credit: Edwin Tan
The Cyclospora parasite can cause explosive diarrhoea Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasite known as Cyclospora – which is picked up from eating contaminated food or water.
Health officials have suggested that lettuce and salad greens are a potential source of the outbreak in the US, which initial reports linked to some Taco Bell locations in Michigan.
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However, no specific type of produce or supplier has yet been identified as the source.
Dubbed the “nightmare stomach bug,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed more than 1,645 cases across 34 states, with 141 hospitalisations as of July 14.
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Of these people, 145 have needed hospital treatment.
A further 5,100 potential cases are currently under investigation, so numbers are likely higher than official figures currently suggest.
About one in every 11 cases has been hospitalised, according to data reported to CDC.
No deaths have been reported.
Cases have been spotted in 34 states, as health authorities scour food supply chains to identify a culprit Credit: CDC
Top 5 symptoms of Cyclosporiasis
Frequent watery, runny or “explosive” diarrhoea
Loss of appetite
Stomach cramping, including burping and bloating
Nausea
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Michigan in particular has seen high numbers of cases – with 3,762 infections recorded as of July 15.
So have Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Officials believe cases in these four hotspot states are linked.
Symptoms tend to appear one week after eating contaminated food, although they can come anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.
This can make Cyclospora infections very hard to trace back to their source, since it can be difficult for people to remember exactly what they ate days or weeks ago.
The first sign of cyclosporiasis is frequent, watery diarrhoea, with most sufferers experiencing “explosive bowel movements”, according to the CDC.
A loss of appetite and stomach cramping, which may also include bloating, burping and farting, are also common with the illness.
Those infected may also experience nausea and feel extreme tiredness or fatigue.
The CDC added that while the sickness can be severe, it “is not usually life-threatening”.
But without treatment, symptoms can “relapse” and come back from a few days to a month after the initial infection – making it different from a typical stomach bug.
And unlike other gastrointestinal illnesses, sufferers don’t tend to experience a lot of vomiting.
Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk from the infection.
There have been previous outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the US – though not of this magnitude.
Health experts fear cases may continue to crop up until August.
Previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce like herbs – think coriander (or cilantro) and basil – bagged salads and raspberries, which can be difficult to wash.
People are being told to thoroughly wash vegetables and produce – even if it’s bagged salad that’s washed and ‘ready to eat’ – and cook them whenever possible.
Washing hands before food preparation and after using the bathroom and regularly wiping down and cleaning surfaces in kitchen and eating areas can also help.
Experts recommend avoiding pre-cut or packaged items and going for whole, uncut produce instead, because it typically undergoes less handling.
It’s also recommended to avoid fruits and vegetables that may be bruised, damaged or mouldy.
Dr Nuwan Gunawardhana, a hospital epidemiologist and physician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told CNN Health that people with weakened immune systems “may want to avoid eating fresh produce altogether until a culprit is determined, given that this particular population is at a higher risk for severe disease”.
