The CDC is investigating a mystery diarrhea outbreak, unrelated to international travel, that’s turned up in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 14 other states.
It’s called Cyclosporiasis and it’s caused by a microscopic parasite that gets into the body through food and water contaminated by feces. New York has been hit the hardest with anywhere from 31 to 80 of the 145 cases reported. New Jersey is second with multiple cases. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, gas, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Twenty people have been hospitalized during this outbreak which began two months ago. At least 11 cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, according to the CDC.
The most commonly reported symptom is “watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements,” per the CDC.
The CDC is trying to pinpoint the cause.
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