17 are states reporting cases of parasitic illness that causes ‘explosive’ diarrhea

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The CDC is asking people across the country to thoroughly wash produce because of a rise in cyclosporiasis infections in the Midwest. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are two of 17 states monitoring a spike in the parasitic intestinal illness.

The CDC is currently monitoring 145 cases across 17 states. Pennsylvania is on track to meet 2025’s total of 40 cases; there have been 19 cases reported so far this year. New Jersey is treating between one and 10 patients.

Meanwhile, Michigan is separately reporting more than 300 cases of the parasitic disease across six counties.

While cyclosporiasis cases can occur year-round, cases typically rise during the spring and summer months. People can become infected by consuming food or water — particularly tropical produce — containing the parasite, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said.

According to the CDC, the infection “typically causes watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements.” Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping and bloating, gas, nausea, and fatigue.

KYW Newsradio medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough said the intestinal illness can stay dormant for days.

“You might not notice anything for a day or two, and then all of a sudden you’ll feel a little worse, maybe a little bloated,” he said. “And then it can turn into really kind of a severe diarrhea. And if you’re older, if you’re at risk, it can be even more serious because you may not have as much reserve to take it on.”

The sickness can return if the parasite is not treated.

“This is one of those ones that can kind of go in cycles,” McDonough said. “You could get it for several weeks. The symptoms could come and go. It can relapse, so if you have this until you treat it, it can be problematic.”

Health officials urge infected individuals to contact their doctors if symptoms persist.