Health officials in Alabama re investigating multiple reports of Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite.

The state has seen an increase in the number of infections since April and with more than twice as many cases reported this year than in 2022, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. In the U.S. people can get sick with Cyclosporiasis by eating fresh produce grown outside the U.S. and contaminated with Cyclospora.

ADPH did not confirm a particular source for the recent cases.

Illness from Cyclosporiasis can be mild to serious with prolonged gastrointestinal issues, including watery diarrhea with frequent, and sometimes explosive, bowel movements that can last for weeks. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, lack of appetite, bloating, body aches, low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

Cyclosporiasis is not contagious and there is no evidence it spreads from person to person. ADPH recommends anyone who has had diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating or other gastrointestinal symptoms lasting longer than several days to talk to their healthcare provider.

Most healthy people recover without treatment but some, including people with poor health or weakened immune systems, can require hospitalization..

Prevent Cyclospora infection:

• Avoid food or water that might have been contaminated with stool.
• Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.