Health officials across the United States are investigating a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The outbreak has spread across at least 31 states, with hundreds of confirmed cases and dozens of hospitalisations, prompting an investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cyclospora infections are known for causing prolonged bouts of watery diarrhoea, which the CDC says can sometimes become 'explosive.' While the illness is rarely life-threatening, it can lead to severe dehydration, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
