Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Nearly 100 people in the D.C. metro area are sick with an intestinal illness called cyclospora that is caused by a parasite. Maryland has the highest number of confirmed cases of it: 42. Virginia isn’t far behind with 39, and D.C. has 14.
While cyclospora isn’t completely uncommon, the number of cases has spiked this year. The Virginia Department of Health said the five year average had been nine cases. In 2018, there were eight cases in the District according to the D.C. Department of Health.
The disease is often linked to imported produce contaminated with fecal matter. That may be the case in D.C. where the FDA said the outbreak is potentially linked to fresh basil from Mexico. Health officials are working to figure out the source of the cases in Maryland and Virginia.
People who contract the parasitic disease get diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue. Health officials say not to ignore symptoms because if the disease isn’t treated, it can linger for months.
The spread of it can be prevented by washing produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking it. Firmer fruits and vegetables like melons should be scrubbed with a produce brush according to health officials.
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