140 Americans in over a dozen states sickened by nasty diarrhea-causing parasite as CDC investigates

A rather nasty — and quite literally uncomfortable — parasite has sickened more than 140 people across multiple states.

The parasite, Cyclospora, causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis, which commonly triggers watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach cramps or pain, bloating, and increased gas to name a few.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received 145 reports of U.S.-acquired cases between May 1 and June 16.

While Cyclospora is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, the U.S. faces domestic foodborne outbreaks almost every year, typically driven by imported fresh produce.

Strikingly, none of the 145 patients sickened in the current multi-state wave reported traveling outside the country.

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Among the 17 states that reported cases between May 1 and June 16, New York had the highest number of cyclosporiasis infections, falling into the 31-to-80 case range.

The map provided by the CDC below highlights those 17 states and their range of infections.

Of the 145 affected in the U.S., ages ranged from 5 to 86 years. While 20 were hospitalized, fortunately, no deaths have been reported.

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That said, federal officials warn that the footprint of the illness could be much more than that number.

"Cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to these states with known cases. The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis was likely higher than the number reported," the CDC stated. 

Because case counts naturally rise during the spring and summer, the CDC officially considers May 1 through August 31 to be peak cyclosporiasis season. 

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Traceback investigations are currently being conducted by local, state, and federal public health authorities, including the CDC and FDA, across multiple multi-state case clusters to identify the potential food sources.