What To Know About Cyclosporiasis, The ‘Exploding Diarrhea’ Illness

Illinois is experiencing a surge in cyclosporiasis cases, with 277 confirmed cases as of July 2024, compared to 249 in the same period last year. The CDC reports 1,645 confirmed cases nationwide and 5,100 under analysis, linked to the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which causes severe diarrhea and other symptoms. The outbreak's origin remains unclear, but past cases have been tied to contaminated produce.