A parasitic foodborne illness that causes “explosive” diarrhea is on the rise in the United States, including in the DMV region, where health departments are tracking a growing number of infections.<\/p>\n
Cyclosporiasis<\/a> has caused 843 illnesses and 86 hospitalizations as of July 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the number of cases is likely higher<\/a>. No deaths have been reported.<\/p>\n Here’s what to know about the illness and how many cases have been confirmed in Washington DC and its neighboring states.<\/p>\n What is cyclosporiasis?<\/p>\n Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis and causes “watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements,” the CDC<\/a> says.<\/p>\n Other common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps\/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue.<\/p>\n “Cyclosporais generally transmitted when infected feces contaminate food or water,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/a> says. “It’s unlikely to be transmitted directly from person to person because the Cyclospora\u00a0parasite needs time (days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious for another person.”<\/p>\n The CDC says the best ways to prevent cyclosporiasis<\/a> include washing produce before eating it, avoiding untreated water, avoiding contact with human or animal feces, and washing your hands after using the toilet, after changing diapers and before handling food.<\/p>\n It remains unclear how food becomes infected with cyclospora, but so far the outbreak has been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas and mesclun lettuce, health officials say.<\/p>\n Cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated the illness can last for a month or longer.<\/p>\n How many cases of cyclosporiasis are in Washington DC?<\/p>\n As of July 13, the Department of Health of the District of Columbia has not reported any cyclosporiasis cases.<\/p>\n Cases have been reported in 31 states, the CDC says, with both of DC’s neighboring states among those where illnesses have occurred.<\/p>\n How many cases of cyclosporiasis are in Maryland and Virginia?<\/p>\n Since May 1, up to 32 people have been infected with cyclosporiasis in Maryland, health officials said.<\/p>\n It’s almost a double increase from the same period from 2024 and 2025; Maryland reported 19 cases from May 1 to July 7 in 2024, and 18 cases during the same two-plus months in 2025.<\/p>\n Officials have not said where the cases occurred within the state, but MedStar Health told CBS Baltimore<\/a> at least one case was in Baltimore.<\/p>\n