INDIANA — A regional surge of the parasitic foodborne illness cyclosporiasis has officially reached Central Indiana, with local health authorities confirming 15 cases in Marion County.
The Marion County Public Health Department verified the cases this week, marking a notable increase compared to typical years, when the county usually records four or fewer cases. Health officials across Indiana and the Midwest are closely monitoring the situation as cases spike across neighboring states.
What Is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic single-celled parasite. Unlike viral or bacterial food poisoning, Cyclospora is typically contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with human fecal matter—most commonly fresh produce such as berries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and packaged salad greens.
Because the parasite requires one to two weeks outside the body to mature and become infectious, direct person-to-person transmission is extremely rare.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after ingesting contaminated food or water and can linger for weeks if left untreated:
- Frequent, watery, or “explosive” diarrhea
- Severe abdominal cramps and bloating
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Unintended weight loss and severe fatigue
- Body aches and low-grade fever
Health care providers emphasize that standard routine stool tests do not always automatically screen for Cyclospora. Individuals experiencing persistent diarrhea are advised to specifically request Cyclospora testing from their physician.
Regional Impact and Indiana Spread
While Marion County is currently the primary reported cluster within Indiana, public health agencies across the state are tracking potential cases. Because many individuals recover without seeking specialized testing or medical treatment, health officials suspect total case counts across Indiana and the broader region may be higher than official surveillance figures indicate.
Neither the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) nor other county health departments have announced local outbreaks or confirmed county-specific case counts at this time.
If you or anyone in Lawrence County experiences persistent watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramping, or fatigue lasting more than a few days after eating fresh fruits or raw vegetables, local health providers recommend seeking a medical evaluation and requesting a specific Cyclospora stool test.
The Indiana outbreak is part of a broader, multi-state summer surge affecting more than 18 states:
- Michigan: Emerging as the epicenter of the Midwest surge, with state health authorities reporting nearly 700 confirmed or suspected cases.
- Ohio, Illinois, & Wisconsin: All reporting active case clusters linked to the ongoing summer surveillance period.
- National Impact: Federal health agencies have logged over 1,000 cases nationwide since the surveillance season began in May.
Prevention and Food Safety Recommendations
Because Cyclospora parasites cling tightly to the surfaces of fresh fruits and vegetables, standard water rinsing may not completely eliminate the risk. Health officials recommend the following precautionary steps:
- Rinse and Scrub Thoroughly: Wash all fresh produce under cold running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Scrub firm produce like melons and cucumbers.
- Choose Whole Greens: Consider purchasing whole heads of lettuce or cabbage rather than pre-washed bagged salad mixes. Remove and discard the outer two to three leaves before washing.
- Cook Vegetables: Cooking produce thoroughly destroys the parasite.
- Refrigerate Cut Produce: Keep peeled, cut, or cooked fruits and vegetables refrigerated at 40°F or lower.
Investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments remain ongoing to pinpoint specific contaminated food sources distributed throughout the region.
