Illinois

ShazzieB

(23,147 posts) Fri Jul 10, 2026, 03:04 PM 16 hrs ago

Dozens of cases of illness caused by microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis reported in Illinois - ABC 7 Chicago

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2026, 01:12 AM - Edit history (1)

(Note: The original YouTube title said "contagious" parasite, but this is incorrect, as the illness cannot be spread from person to person.)

Illinois is experiencing a surge in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Dozens of cases of contagious parasite. State health officials have reported roughly 150 to 160 cases, part of a wider Midwest outbreak. The illness spreads by consuming contaminated food (usually fresh produce) or water, but is not spread from person to person.

6 replies

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Dozens of cases of illness caused by microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis reported in Illinois - ABC 7 Chicago (Original Post) ShazzieB 16 hrs ago OP

Thanks ShazzieB MustLoveBeagles 16 hrs ago #1

Cyclospora cayetanensis - trump's Secret Service code name? Wonder Why 16 hrs ago #2

It is NOT CONTAGIOUS. erronis 15 hrs ago #3

Thanks Cirsium 13 hrs ago #5

Just now saw this. I'll fix it. ShazzieB 6 hrs ago #6

Useless Cirsium 13 hrs ago #4

MustLoveBeagles

(18,661 posts)

1. Thanks ShazzieB

Reply to ShazzieB (Original post)

Fri Jul 10, 2026, 03:08 PM

16 hrs ago

I'll be careful.

Wonder Why

(7,558 posts)

2. Cyclospora cayetanensis - trump's Secret Service code name?

Reply to ShazzieB (Original post)

Fri Jul 10, 2026, 03:09 PM

16 hrs ago

erronis

(25,184 posts)

3. It is NOT CONTAGIOUS.

Reply to ShazzieB (Original post)

Fri Jul 10, 2026, 03:48 PM

15 hrs ago

Please edit your title. Contagious implies spread from person to person. From your text "is not spread from person to person".

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17957-cyclosporiasis

How is it transmitted?

Cyclosporiasis spreads through the fecal-oral route -- germs from contaminated poop (feces) get into your mouth. This may happen through:

Contaminated water: This may include drinking untreated water or accidentally swallowing contaminated swimming water (for example, swimming pools, hot tubs or lakes). C. cayetanensis can survive chlorinated pool water for a long time.
Contaminated foods: There have been links between some kinds of fresh produce and cyclosporiasis outbreaks. It may occur if you use contaminated water to grow or wash produce. Using poop to fertilize produce is also a risk.

There's no evidence that it spreads from person to person.

Cirsium

(4,316 posts)

5. Thanks

Reply to erronis (Reply #3)

Fri Jul 10, 2026, 05:53 PM

13 hrs ago

That title comes from the idiotic ABC 7 Chicago report. God, it is just awful.

ShazzieB

(23,147 posts)

6. Just now saw this. I'll fix it.

Reply to erronis (Reply #3)

Sat Jul 11, 2026, 01:00 AM

6 hrs ago

I copied the title from YouTube without even noticing. Sorry about that!

Cirsium

(4,316 posts)

4. Useless

Reply to ShazzieB (Original post)

Fri Jul 10, 2026, 05:47 PM

13 hrs ago

That report from the dietician is useless. "It just can't be removed by just... you know, washing your hands." Then "so the best that we can really do is, um, be very smart about our own handwashing and the types of produce that we buy." Then "we find it in mostly the leafy vegetables" which according to her include raspberries "you know, they have the little nooks and crannies in them that's really hard to clean" and snow peas. Say what?

"Um, so the best recommendations because we can't rid it, we can't kill it by water or any sort of chemical. The only way to kill it is to cook it. So, some strategies around how to still eat our produce is, you know, buying the full head of lettuce or leafy vegetable and pulling off kind of the exterior leaves and then really washing... the inside as best that you can." Huh?

This is extremely disturbing. The source needs to be traced and identified (unless Musk fired all of the experts.) You can't just guess and spread this sort of idiotic advice when public health is at risk. Don't eat raw fruit or vegetables for two months until it goes away? Reminds me of Trump's "it will just magically go away" nonsense about COVID.

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