How to Avoid Parasite That's Been Making Illinois Residents Sick

If you've been feeling sick over the past couple of months, it may be due to a parasite that typically causes more illnesses in the summer months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, they're investigating an "outbreak linked to a food source" which causes a diarrheal illness reportedly due to a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis, or cyclosporiasis.

Parasite Outbreak Linked to Various Types of Fresh Produce

Many cases of cyclosporiasis can't be linked directly to an outbreak, but previous cases were connected to fresh produce that was reportedly contaminated.

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Basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas were recently found to have been contaminated with the parasite, according to the CDC press release.

Officials use questionnaires to interview sick people to determine what they ate in the 14-day period before getting sick. If a common food is found, CDC and partners work quickly to determine if the contaminated food is still available in stores or in peoples’ homes and issue advisories.

How to Know if You've Been Contaminated with Parasite?

The CDC reports that symptoms usually begin a couple of weeks following consumption of infected food and can last several weeks to more than a month.

People typically experience watery diarrhea. They may also experience loss of appetite, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. -CDC

Treatment for cyclosporiasis is available and if you have some of these symptoms you should visit your doctor for a test.

If you are sick with Cyclospora, local or state health officials may contact you to find out what you ate in the 2 weeks before you got sick.

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