A public health issue has emerged as cases of Cyclospora infection increase in several US states. Between May 1 and June 16, 145 cases were reported, in 17 states, with at least 20 hospitalizations.

While Michigan has seen a drastic increase with at least 170 recent cases, New York has reported 107 cases, both significantly higher than annual averages. Michigan figures are not included in reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency said that it is common for the number of cases to increase in the summer, but that several states are seeing an unusually large increase in cases.

CNN points out that authorities have not identified a single source of contagion, although investigations into possible sources of infection continue.

Prevention and symptoms to take into account

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a single-celled parasite that is transmitted through human feces. It reaches food when crops are irrigated with water contaminated with feces and, once on the plants, in the humid environment of a crop field, it begins to multiply, Dr. David Freeman, professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explained to CNN.

Although it can often be a problem for travelers, the CDC says the cases currently being investigated did not report travel in the two weeks before the illness appeared.

It is essential to wash fruits and vegetables well before consumption. Dr. Freeman stresses that the use of soap and water is essential, as bleach does not eliminate the parasite. It clarifies, at the same time, that the parasite dies with heat, so it is normally eliminated when cooking, but that on other occasions it survives, and can be transmitted with food.

Symptoms include watery diarrhea, mild fever and loss of appetite, appearing between two and fourteen days after ingestion of contaminated food. Rehydration is key if severe illness occurs.

Guidelines for cooking food

Proper cooking can eliminate many foodborne parasites, but the key is for the food to reach a sufficient internal temperature throughout the piece.

To do

Important cases

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