Cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite have increased in South Florida. According to the Florida Department of Health, as of July 11, there are 17 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in Miami-Dade County, seven in Broward County and one in Monroe County. Statewide, there are about 100 cases.
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In a live special edition of NBC6’s Your Health, Dr. Cornelius Powell, chief medical officer at Broward Health North, answered questions submitted via YouTube.
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He said the illness is caused by Cyclospora, a parasite commonly found in contaminated water and fresh produce.
“It generally lives in contaminated water, but sometimes food as well. Think green leafy vegetables and unwashed fruits,” Powell said.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 1,600 confirmed cases and is investigating additional reports.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that typically develops about a week after a person consumes contaminated food or water. Symptoms can last for weeks and often include severe watery diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and stomach cramps.
“The buzzword today is explosive diarrhea,” Powell said. “It can last several weeks and it is easily treated with an antibiotic if it is confirmed that you do have this.”
Doctors say the illness itself has not caused any reported deaths in the United States, but complications from dehydration can become serious.
“If you have such severe diarrhea, you’re losing not only water, but all of your electrolytes,” Powell said. “People can get up to heart arrhythmias as a result of these electrolytes being depleted.”
Health officials have not yet identified the exact source of the outbreak. However, investigators are closely examining fresh produce, including leafy greens, fruits and cilantro.
“We don’t have a definitive source yet, but there’s a high likelihood that this parasite lives on green leafy vegetables,” Powell said.
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The CDC and National Institutes of Health are continuing their investigation, a process Powell said could take weeks or longer.
Powell emphasized that people should continue eating fruits and vegetables but take precautions.
Key recommendations:
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
- Cook foods to an internal temperature of 158 degrees
- Avoid untreated water
- Stay hydrated if symptoms develop
- Seek medical attention if diarrhea becomes severe or persistent
“Wash your fruits and vegetables,” Powell said. “We should be doing that on a Monday-through-Sunday, 365-basis.”
Most cases can be diagnosed through stool testing. Powell advised people not to ignore symptoms that persist beyond a few days.
Seek medical care if you experience:
- Persistent watery diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
- Weakness from dehydration
- Symptoms lasting several days
“If you’re feeling faint, or if you’re just feeling generally weak, it’s time to go to the emergency department,” Powell said.
Doctors may wait for test results before prescribing antibiotics because unnecessary antibiotic use can worsen diarrhea and contribute to other complications.
Can It Spread Person to Person?
Unlike many common stomach illnesses, person-to-person transmission of cyclosporiasis is less common. The parasite requires time to mature before becoming infectious.
“You can have person-to-person transmission with cyclosporiasis, but it’s less common because of the amount of time that it takes” for the parasite to develop, Powell said.
Important Facts About Cyclosporiasis
- Symptoms typically appear about one week after exposure
- The illness can last two to three weeks without treatment
- Some people may have mild or no symptoms
- Chlorinated swimming pools may not completely eliminate the parasite
- Proper washing of produce remains the best defense while investigators search for the outbreak’s source
“Everybody needs help sometime, and that’s why we’re here,” Powell said. “This too shall pass, whether it’s by itself or with an antibiotic.”
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