The U.S. has a parasite-fueled diarrhea outbreak. Take a look at Florida cases
Ongoing outbreaks involving a diarrhea-inducing parasite has left over 1,600 people sick across the country, including dozens of people in Florida.
Florida has reported 60 cases of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis this year, with nearly all cases recorded starting in May, the beginning of cyclosporiasis outbreak season, according to preliminary state health department data.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a tiny parasite that is usually found in contaminated food and water. And it often causes “watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal health officials say they haven’t been able to identify the source of the multi-state outbreak yet, though Michigan health officials have begun to point to lettuce and other salad greens as a possibility.
As of Monday, the CDC has confirmed 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis and “is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.”
How many cyclosporiasis cases were reported so far in Florida, including in Miami-Dade and Broward counties? Take a look:
READ MORE: Florida is seeing a rise in ‘explosive’ diarrhea. What to know about cyclosporiasis
