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Ky. (WBKO) – Cases of cyclosporiasis typically rise every summer, but doctors say some Midwestern states are seeing an unusual increase this year
Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that causes diarrheal illness. People are usually exposed through contaminated food or water, and past U.S. outbreaks have often been linked to contaminated produce
Dr. Kris Bryant, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with Norton Healthcare, said states including Michigan and Ohio are reporting hundreds of cases
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Locally, Norton Healthcare has diagnosed 16 people with cyclosporiasis in the last three weeks — all adults — with seven positive tests reported so far this week
For comparison, Bryant said Norton Healthcare recorded 13 positive tests in all of 2025. She noted Norton serves patients across multiple counties in Kentucky and Indiana, and official <a href="https://healthylife7.com/organization-warns-of-public-health-emergency-in-venezuela-after-38-hospitals-damaged-in-earthquakes-last-month/" title="Organization warns of public health emergency in Venezuela after 38 hospitals damaged in earthquakes last month”>public health case counts come from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Symptoms can be severe and long-lasting. The most common symptom is diarrhea, which can be explosive and last for days to weeks. Some people may start to improve and then worsen again. Other symptoms can include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, bloating, poor appetite, fatigue, and a low-grade fever
While some people with healthy immune systems may recover on their own, Bryant said the illness can also be treated with an antibiotic, which may shorten the duration of symptoms
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Those who have experienced prolonged diarrhea should see a healthcare provider, and anyone with a compromised immune system should check in sooner
To lower the risk, Bryant recommends washing hands with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating or cooking, and scrub firm produce like cucumbers or cantaloupe with a produce brush
Leftovers should be refrigerated promptly — within two hours. Cooking can also help kill the parasite, though Bryant noted many people still eat raw produce like salads
Health officials are still investigating whether the current rise is linked to a specific food item
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Bryant said cyclosporiasis is a reportable disease, and people who test positive may be contacted by the health department to answer questions about what they ate
She also noted the incubation period can range from as short as two days to two weeks or longer, which can make it difficult to pinpoint when and where exposure happened
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