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#Post#: 6158--------------------------------------------------
Re: ‘Explosive’ diarrhea illness uptick reported in Texas, 16
other states (cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness)
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 11, 2026, 11:42 am
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We are all still learning about this ...
It's not just produce. Where else can 'explosive diarrhea' bug
hide?
Updated July 11, 2026,
"Health officials struggle to identify the source of a growing
outbreak, some experts believe the focus on food may be
obscuring the bigger picture..."
LINK:
HTML https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/11/cyclospora-diarrhea-outbreak-has-another-risk-beyond-food-parasite/90881401007/
COMMENT: Just some food for thought and some facts to ponder
upon: "About half of all sewage sludge in the United States is
recycled into agricultural fertilizer" & "Over half of the
nitrogen in some coastal bays and estuaries comes from leaking
septic systems"
For example: From waste to worth: Using septic sewage as
fertilizer
February 25, 2025
LINK:
HTML https://athensindependent.com/septic-fertilizer/
...again chlorine doesn't destroy Cyclospora.
The only way to completely destroy the Cyclospora parasite in
food is through heat. Thorough cooking, baking, or boiling
breaks down the tough oocyst wall and neutralizes the threat.
Also, I speculate about the recent heatwave contributing to the
success of the parasite .. but I am merely a layperson
speculating however Cyclospora is most common in tropical
climates.
According to those that study the Cyclospora parasite:
"You get it by eating raw food or drinking water that touched
human feces. It does not spread easily from person to person."
(Caveat: Cyclospora parasite is microscopic its not water
soluble nor is it easily dissolvable and only heat at certain
temperature kills it)
&
"The parasite must sit in the environment for 1 to 2 weeks to
mature (called sporulation) before it can make a person sick. It
also cannot be grown in a lab, making outbreaks hard to test."
#Post#: 6165--------------------------------------------------
Re: ‘Explosive’ diarrhea illness uptick reported in Texas, 16
other states (cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness)
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 12, 2026, 3:41 pm
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NOTE: Concerning locally grown produce sold at farmers'
markets...
Question: does cyclosporiasis ever come from locally grown
farmers market food?
Answer:
"Cyclosporiasis can come from locally grown produce sold at
farmers' markets.
The parasite (Cyclospora cayetanensis) infects fresh, raw
produce when it gets into the soil or water. While many
outbreaks are linked to imported foods, local crops can still
become contaminated by birds, wildlife, farm workers, or
irrigation water."
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic
parasite. It usually causes severe, watery diarrhea.
To stay safe when buying fresh, local produce:
Wash thoroughly: Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running
water. Separate leafy greens, leaf by leaf.
*Cook it: Heating produce to 158 °F or higher is the best way to
kill the parasite.
Be aware: Simple food washes do not remove the parasite
COMMENT: Hopefully this info helps somebody who plans on
continuing to get their produce locally grown like myself. I
simply plan on heating produce to 158 °F or higher is the best
way to kill the parasite. My loved one is angry at my lecturing
her about this parasite but she is actually on the computer
right now changing our weekly farmer's Market order to contain
produce that is often cooked rather than eaten raw.
#Post#: 6173--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 14, 2026, 1:15 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
About 5,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in more
than half of U.S. states...
July 14, 2026
COMMENT:
That's a number that is high rate of speed in a relatively short
amount of time...Probably far more counties, cases out there and
more to come even as we type this. Keep in mind it can take a
bout a week and a half or so for symptoms to even appear. So
those who are sick today actually were probably infected a week
& 1/2 or so ago.
As Cases of ‘Diarrhea Parasite’ Cyclospora Rise Across the US,
Is It Safe to Eat Fresh Produce?
LINK:
HTML https://www.today.com/health/news/cyclosporiasis-cases-diarrhea-parasite-what-safe-eat-produce-foods-rcna587280
#Post#: 6175--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 14, 2026, 4:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: about how Cyclosporiasis can be transmitted (infected
people versus septic runoff risks):
Infected farm or food service workers who handle fresh produce
can contaminate food if they do not have access to proper
handwashing facilities or handle items while sick
July 14 2026
something that hasn't appeared or been addressed in most of the
previous articles...
Infected farm or food service workers who handle fresh produce
can contaminate food if they do not have access to proper
handwashing facilities or handle items while sick
Here is exactly how this transmission occurs:
The Process: Workers with the infection can shed the Cyclospora
parasite in bowel movements, directly contaminating crops or
farm surfaces if hygiene is poor.
The Timeframe: The parasite does not immediately cause
infections when passed. It requires anywhere from days to
several weeks in warm environments to mature into a form that
can make others sick.
No Direct Contagion: Because the parasite requires this
maturation period outside the human body, Cyclospora is not
spread person-to-person like a common cold.
Preventing Spread: The FDA Cyclosporiasis Guidelines mandate
that ill employees be excluded from any tasks where they might
touch fresh produce or food contact surfaces.
COMMENT: This kind of transmission is definitely possible.. our
food exchanges many hands in this country and it's something to
be aware of in this country of food service workers, fast food,
and fast paced society.
...it is said that "It’s unlikely to be transmitted directly
from person to person because the Cyclospora parasite needs time
(days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become
infectious for another person."
..then again it is said we are at risk during an outbreak :
"People living or traveling in countries where cyclosporiasis is
common, including certain tropical or subtropical regions of the
world, may be at increased risk for infection. However, people
living in other areas can become infected with Cyclospora by
consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the
parasite."
Lots to speculate about here ..hopefully people sick with
diarrhea will be too busy on the can to go to work in the food
industry >:(
Infection through the water?
I assume the water gets infected as well therefore the parasite
travels and spreads through the water somehow infecting crops
that are all touching the same water and wet soil in that
vicinity? So far the general assumption is that contaminated
septic runoff can introduce the parasite into irrigation water,
and direct person-to-person spread is rare.
"Septic Runoff Risk: Failing septic systems or compromised
sewage lines leaking into surface waters (like ponds or rivers)
are a primary environmental source of Cyclospora. If tainted
water is used to irrigate or spray crops, the parasite can stick
to produce."
NOTE: ON FECES spread (Cyclosporiasis is spread through human
feces)(something else not frequently talked about in previous
articles)
"Feces in U.S. agricultural water typically comes from
agricultural runoff, wildlife, and human waste, which
contaminate surface waters (like rivers and canals) and
groundwater wells.These contaminants enter the water supply
through several specific sources:
Livestock and Agricultural Operations: Manure from nearby animal
feeding operations, grazing pastures, or fields where manure is
used as fertilizer can be washed into water sources by rainfall
or irrigation runoff.
Human Sewage: Contamination can occur through leaky or broken
septic systems, runoff from urban/suburban areas, or the
discharge of treated wastewater.
In some cases, treated wastewater solids (biosolids) are used as
crop fertilizer, which can introduce human pathogens into
adjacent soil or runoff.
Flooding and Stormwater: Heavy rains and floods can pick up
fecal matter from surrounding environments and transport it into
the irrigation canals and ponds farmers use.
To mitigate these risks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
enforces the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety
Rule, which requires farms to regularly assess their pre-harvest
agricultural water for potential hazards and implement
corrective measures.
#Post#: 6176--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 14, 2026, 5:37 pm
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NOTE: about wastewater sludge in the U.S. that is recycled into
agricultural fertilizer
July 14 2026
"About half of the wastewater sludge in the U.S. is recycled
into agricultural fertilizer, known as biosolids. While treated
to kill most bacteria, Cyclospora parasites have tough outer
shells and can survive, meaning contaminated biosolids used on
farms can transfer the parasite to soil and fresh produce.
The Link Between Biosolids and Cyclospora
The Pathogen: Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused
by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. It is transmitted via
the fecal-oral route.
The Contamination: If human waste containing the parasite enters
a wastewater facility, standard treatments may not completely
eliminate the tough parasitic oocysts.
Outbreak Patterns: When biosolids are applied to fields as
fertilizer, or if wastewater contaminates irrigation water, the
parasite can end up on fresh crops like leafy greens, berries,
and herbs.
Outbreak Status: The U.S. frequently experiences spikes and
outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. These are typically tracked by
public health bodies like the CDC and local health departments
(e.g., the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)."
COMMENT: I note this because this transmission source
possibility is not really addressed or mentioned at any length
in the previous public articles released in the typical public
news releases.
There’s good chance that some of the food sitting in your
refrigerator was grown using sewage biosolids.
"Nationwide, billions of pounds of treated sewage sludge, or
biosolids, are applied to roughly 18% of U.S. agricultural land
annually as an inexpensive fertilizer. Because there are no
federal disclosure or labeling requirements for produce grown
this way, it is highly likely some of it is currently in your
refrigerator." (of course lettuce and leafy greens appear to be
quite susceptible crops to Cyclospora parasites)
(It's kind of fascinating like trying to be a detective...
...some states actually ban the practice of using Biolsolids
in agriculture... interesting to see if rate of the parasite is
less there..For example Maine is reporting two cases of
cyclosporiasis so far this year, although they are not linked to
a national outbreak...Maine is one of those states that has a
ban the practice of using Biolsolids in agriculture..maybe
domestic cases of parasite infection will be fewer in produce
products from Maine?
Figuring out where produce was grown and produced and if it was
made with biosolids might be key in discovering source of
parasite)
"Evaluation of coccidia DNA in irrigation pond water and
wastewater sludge associated with Cyclospora cayetanensis 18S
rRNA gene qPCR detections"
LINK:
HTML https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/spectrum.00906-24
#Post#: 6178--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 14, 2026, 7:38 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis confirmed or under
investigation nationwide, CDC says
July 14 2026
“We’re seeing an unusually high number of cyclosporiasis cases
this season,” Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases,
said during a media call Tuesday. There are usually about 2,700
cases each year, mostly during the summer months.
Leahy said a health department worker called her within hours of
testing positive, asking what she’d eaten before she got sick.
It was nearly impossible to answer the question, she said.
The incubation period for the parasite to make a person sick is
up to two weeks, and Leahy had already been sick for two weeks
when she tested positive. That means whatever made her ill was
likely consumed a month ago."
LINK:
HTML https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cyclosporiasis-7000-cases-us-cdc-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-rcna587445
COMMENT: I will be concerned at least until numbers stop
rising..also that's a troublesome incubation period!
Another thing to consider about fatality rate is this.. this
can kill you indirectly but kill ya none the less.. for example,
Dehydration can increase the risk of a heart attack. When you
lack fluids, your blood volume drops and it becomes thicker,
forcing the heart to beat faster and harder to pump it. This
strain, combined with electrolyte imbalances, can elevate blood
pressure and increase the risk of dangerous blood clots...
...Diarrhea almost exclusively kills people indirectly rather
than directly. The primary dangers are severe dehydration and
electrolyte imbalances (loss of vital salts like sodium and
potassium). If left untreated, this fluid loss causes low blood
pressure, organ failure, and fatal heart rhythms.
Anyway cyclosporiasis can definitely contribute to death
although it might not be listed as sole cause of death ...While
the cyclosporiasis illness rarely causes death in healthy
individuals who receive prompt medical care, the condition can
be life-threatening for young children, the elderly, and
immunocompromised patient.
Yet another thing to consider is you can get two things at once
For example
Having both cyclosporiasis and COVID-19 at the same time will
not necessarily kill you, but the combination can lead to severe
dehydration, require hospitalization, and poses a serious threat
to vulnerable individuals...
I wouldn't downplay severe dehydration because it can give you
kidney damage for life!
Also, anything that requires hospitalization is going to burden
the hospital so that the hospital might not be able to function
at optimal levels which can mean inadequate care thus reducing
lives. Morever when the hospital is swamped with people this
might cause more spread of contagious illnesses in general. You
can get a quad-demic butterfly effect when outbreaks occur at
hospitals. Imagine the salad bar at a hospital giving everybody
the runs all at once! Catastrophic! Anyway I try never to
dismiss the fact things trigger one another.. For example Over a
period of time, its not just one thing ...its hard to tell what
the sum of events are that led to .. hard to find that complete
sum of complications in the end that triggered and led to that
number one killer we call heart failure.
If I were Dr. Spock from Star Trek it would be logical for me to
say that if dehydration is bad for your kidneys and health then
logically it follows that catching this parasite Is bad for you
and your health. Therefore it would be considered prudent and
worthwhile for humans to make attempts not to catch this
parasite. Health department officials rarely mention long term
repercussions from diseases or dehydration.
To me computing the seriousness of this to health is more an
exercise in reasoning or logic...
FACT:
cyclosporiasis (an intestinal infection caused by the
microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis) causes severe
dehydration
THEREFORE:
"Chronic or severe dehydration can directly lead to long-term
kidney problems. When you are dehydrated, your blood volume
drops, reducing blood flow to the kidneys. This strains the
organs, making it harder for them to filter waste and increasing
the risk of kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and
chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Frequent or prolonged dehydration forces the kidneys to work
significantly harder to retain bodily fluids. Over time, this
chronic stress can cause permanent damage to the delicate
filtering units (nephrons) inside the kidneys. Severe instances
can even result in acute kidney injury, which may require
dialysis if not treated promptly"
Even dehydration can be the cause of horrible accidents ..
people who are dizzy because they are dehydrated faint and have
serious life threatening falling accidents or car accidents that
affect them for life or worse.
Dehydration is never considered healthy or good for your body's
physiological function. From a medical standpoint, a lack of
adequate fluids impairs everything from brain function and mood
to kidney efficiency and blood pressure(remember Cyclospora
cayetanensis causes severe dehydration).
There ought to be a law or something that says you can't talk
about
cyclosporiasis without addressing and acknowledging the dangers
and harms of severe dehydration.. the two go hand in hand.
#Post#: 6179--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Data Report
Date: July 14, 2026, 11:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Add another state in the 300+ case club.
North Carolina reports over 300 cases of diarrhea-causing
cyclosporiasis since May.
Source of information.
1. WLOS.
HTML https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-reports-over-300-cases-13-hospitalizations-explosive-diarrhea-causing-cyclosporiasis-may-june-july-2026-department-health-human-services-ncdhhs
#Post#: 6181--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 15, 2026, 12:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Data Report link ---
>
> Add another state in the 300+ case club.
> North Carolina reports over 300 cases of diarrhea-causing
cyclosporiasis since May.
>
> Source of information.
>
> 1. WLOS.
>
>
HTML https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-reports-over-300-cases-13-hospitalizations-explosive-diarrhea-causing-cyclosporiasis-may-june-july-2026-department-health-human-services-ncdhhs
>
--- End Quote ---
COMMENT:
Ouch! That happens to be the state I live in..or try to live in!
::) Tomorrow I pick up my produce from local Women's
agricultural center .. we strategically ordered Farmers Market
produce (vegetables) that can be heated and cooked. We are gonna
cook, fry, and boil that f*ckin parasite to death! I choose not
to live in fear wondering or not for the next coming weeks if I
am going to succumb to diarrhea and dehydration! Brothers and
sisters, I'm eliminating that possibility by choosing to cook my
vegetables!
So I forego a wet cold salad for awhile..That's no big deal
because there's plenty of wonderful vegetables that are normally
cooked anyway available. We tend to cook the majority of veggies
we eat anyway.
Just grateful to know about it and be empowered to protect
myself and take precautions as I see fit thanks to Data Report
Info!
P.S. I'm technically not out of the woods yet as its been a week
since if my memory serves me correctly I consumed raw cabbage &
uncooked tomatoes from last Wednesday and before that I had
salads everyday for a week until last Tuesday meaning this is
day eight since I last ate lettuce and raw salad ..I'm on day
seven if you include raw cabbage.. so basically I have up to
another 6 or 7 more days to watch for symptoms. Typically about
one more week will determine if I'm really in the clear and then
I won't have to worry.
Then there is the additional stress of being a caregiver and
making sure elderly loved ones don't take unnecessary risks
consuming raw produce... nobody thinks it will happen to them.
People,
If someone is caring for you and requests you wear a mask or
forego a salad because there is an illness or parasite outbreak
going on, then for crying out loud, please comply! Just do what
they say because they care and love you! Don't make them worry
about you for the sake of silly salad!
Imagine an entire aged care facility catching this parasite...
this is already out of control and deadly serious.
#Post#: 6188--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 15, 2026, 9:29 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Did my typical 6 mile round trip Masked Bicycle ride and picked
up a box of my weekly farmer's Market produce at Local Women's
Agricultural Center in North Carolina
July 15 2026
here's my little grievance..
NOTE: There should be a flyer informing and educating people
about the current Cyclospora outbreak. This is just my
preference of course. I prefer people being informed and given
fair warning about stuff. Its just kind of sad this isn't being
done.
I'm a big fan of continuing my business with the Women's
agricultural Center but they brag too much about all these
people in their staff and on their team; some of which are
supposed to be somewhat of health experts and with all do
respect, for people in the business of selling produce, its just
naive and not being responsible not to rise to the challenge and
educate people with flyers or pamphlets about Cyclospora
outbreak so that people are empowered to prevent this parasite
and seek treatment right away. It just pays to be modest and
humble in the face of microscopic parasite outbreaks.
I just don't think we should play dumb,,, it's better to be
proactive , inform, & to openly acknowledge the current
Cyclospora outbreak and simply empower people with what we do
know so far about it especially for those who sell produce. It's
only going to help your business to be open about challenges and
know everything possible about what's going on. Put an educative
flyer in the box of veggies for crying out loud! I don't like
people playing dumb when outbreaks do occur. It's called
integrity. That being said I'm still a customer and choose to
cook and heat my vegetables and raw produce.
It just looks bad if I know more about the current Cyclospora
outbreak than the local agricultural center does or cares to
know about. Its called a conscience.. for example I'm not sell
you a bike without making sure you have a helmet on .. you know
its just smart for agencies to have the public welfare in
mind... stuff like that. There's just certain lines you don't
cross.. little kids aren't supposed to ride on the hood of
lawnmowers and really agricultural centers should put a little
flyer or pamphlet informing and warning about the current
Cyclospora outbreak just outta common sense. Its a little shady
and feels weird if an Agricultural Center can't talk or inform
customers and makes no mention about parasites or the latest
outbreak in NC...
...I feel information and education should be volunteered and
then let the people/customers decide how to use information and
education themselves.
But whatever...I had some stir-fry vegetables today...pretty
tasty from the skillet (better heated than a cold wet perhaps
dangerous salad).
#Post#: 6191--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness Explosive’ diarrhea
illness
DIR By: Masked Man
Date: July 16, 2026, 3:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida nearly double in a week, but
that could be a undercount
- News Service of Florida
Published July 16, 2026
LINK:
HTML https://www.wusf.org/health-news-florida/2026-07-16/cyclosporiasis-cases-florida-nationally-could-be-undercounted
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