Idaho reports first parasitic diarrhea infection amid nationwide outbreak

Idaho health officials on Tuesday reported the first local case of a parasitic intestinal infection that is spreading across the U.S. 

Idaho’s first case this year of a cyclospora infection was in an Idahoan who traveled out of state before falling ill, Department of Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter told the Idaho Capital Sun in a statement. He said that more cases could come.

Salad greens scrutinized as cyclosporiasis outbreak spreads

“We expect we might see a few additional cases among Idaho residents, especially those that have traveled to the areas of the country experiencing significant increases in reports of cyclosporiasis,” McWhorter said. 

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora. Symptoms include watery or “explosive” diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. It’s often contracted by eating or drinking something contaminated with the parasite, which lives in feces.

In Michigan, which leads the nation with more than 2,600 cases, state health officials identified lettuces or salad greens as a possible source of infections, Stateline reported.

Across the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified at least 1,645 cases across 34 states. But the CDC acknowledges its tally is likely an undercount of the true number of infections — with more than 5,100 cases that need to be confirmed. 

The outbreak comes a year after the CDC, under the Trump administration, reduced monitoring for several foodborne illnesses, including the parasite that causes the infections. 

Idaho’s largest regional health authority, Central District Health, on Monday issued a health advisory urging health care providers to consider requesting testing for cyclospora if patients present with “prolonged, watery, or relapsing diarrheal illness.”