As seen in the recent news, a parasitic illness called cyclosporiasis has seen a rapid rise in the Midwest with Michigan and Ohio having the highest number of cases.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a nationwide health advisory following a significant surge in domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases, with more than 4,173 confirmed infections across 41 states. Information gathered by Mickey Croyle, LWV Metro STL Environmental Quality and Climate Change Committee.

Key Facts About the Parasite & Illness

• Symptoms: Include sudden, watery, and often "explosive" diarrhea, along with cramping, nausea, bloating, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically begin 1 week (but anywhere from 2 to 14 days) after ingesting the parasite. 
• Not Contagious: It does not spread person-to-person because the parasite needs to mature in the environment for 1 to 2 weeks after being shed in feces before it can infect someone else. 
• Diagnosis: Confirmed via a laboratory test that identifies the parasite in a stool sample. 
• Treatment: It is usually treated with the combination antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (often known by the brand names Bactrim or Septra). [1]

Fields Become Contaminated.

Cyclospora contaminates agricultural fields is the result of failures in human sanitation rather than livestock management. 

• Tainted Irrigation Water: The primary vector for large outbreaks is agricultural water. This happens when failing municipal sewers, leaking septic tanks, or wastewater treatment overflows release human waste into local rivers, canals, or irrigation ponds. 
• Illegal Use of "Black Water": In some global regions, untreated human sewage (black water) or inadequately treated sludge is used directly to water or fertilize crops, introducing the parasite to the soil.  
• Poor Field Sanitation: If agricultural or harvest workers lack access to functional, clean restroom facilities, they may relieve themselves near the fields, contaminating the immediate soil and crops. 
  
  

The Parasite's Resilience

• Once human waste introduces Cyclospora to an agricultural environment, the parasite's egg-like form (oocyst) is incredibly hardy. It features a tough outer shell that allows it to survive in warm, wet soil or water for weeks. Furthermore, it withstands standard chemical sanitizers, including chlorine, making contaminated water systems difficult to clear without specialized filtration

 How to lower risk: 

• Infections spreads through oral ingestion after contact with contaminated feces and the germs often contaminate water and food. Bagged salad kits, raspberries, green onions and cilantro, and basil have been previous outbreak sources of infection.
• Vegetable sprays do not kill this parasite. Wash hands with soap and water before and after. handling raw fruits and vegetables
• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. 
• Scrub firm produce including melons, cucumbers with a clean brush
• Cut away any bruised or damaged areas
• Clean and sanitize utensils and food prep surfaces before and after use
• Sanitize refrigerator used to store fresh produce
• Clean and sanitize cutting boards and tools used with fresh produce
• Refrigerate cut, peeled and cooked fruits and vegetables promply.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after handling fresh fruits and vegetables.