Parasite Outbreak Reported in Monroe County, Michigan

Nobody wants to hear the words parasite outbreak or diarrheal illness, because honestly, both sound awful. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what health officials in Monroe County are dealing with right now.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, the Monroe County Health Department is investigating multiple cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasite-related illness that can make you seriously miserable.

Right now, they’re trying to figure out what the infected residents may have in common, with contaminated food or water being the most likely source.

What Is Cyclosporiasis and What Are the Symptoms?

This is a nasty intestinal illness caused by a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. And yes, it’s about as unpleasant as it sounds.

Cyclosporiasis usually shows up anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks after exposure, and the symptoms are rough.

We’re talking frequent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and sometimes a low-grade fever. Basically, the kind of illness where you’re not leaving the house for a while.

What makes this especially annoying is that symptoms can disappear and then come back again. In some cases, the illness can drag on for weeks or even more than a month if it’s not treated.

Can Fresh Produce Spread Cyclosporiasis?

Here’s the part that might surprise you: outbreaks in the U.S. have often been linked to contaminated fresh produce, especially during hot weather.

That doesn’t mean you need to panic every time you eat a salad, but it is a good reminder to wash fruits and vegetables really well before eating them. I personally like using baking soda or white vinegar when cleaning produce, especially if I’m eating it raw. Better safe than sorry.

And if you’re in Monroe County and suddenly dealing with some brutal stomach issues…yeah, it might be worth getting checked out.

How Many People Are Sick in the Monroe County Parasite Outbreak?

Now, while they’re calling this an outbreak, we still have no idea how many people are actually sick. Health officials have only said there are multiple cases, which could mean a few people or a much bigger issue.

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Filed Under: Monroe County