Watch What You Eat And Beware Of This Stomach Bug That Could Be Attacking Texas In 2024.

When you get a rumbling in your stomach and its followed up by throwing up, you automatically think "there's gotta be a stomach bug going around".

That's a simple way to put it, but we'll go ahead and educate you on what the experts call it and share with you details on how to avoid letting this parasite mess with your body.

Its Called The "Cyclospora Cayetanensis Parasite".

According to the CDC, Cyclosporiasis, causes diarrhea, loss of appetite, and cramping. Its caused by consuming food or water contaminated with feces (stool) that contains the Cyclospora parasite.

Over 2,000 cases of it have been reported in America in 40 states including Texas in 2023.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually begin 2 to 14 days after ingestion of contaminated food or water.

The major symptom is watery diarrhea lasting a few days to a few months, anorexia, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting, and low grade fever.

What's The Situation in Texas?,

Since 2018–2022, the average number of cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas has been 579 cases per year, ranging from 312 cases in 2021 to 1,039 cases in 2019 according to provisional 2022 data from The Texas Department Of State Health Services.

The CDC reports that Texas 201-360 cases in 2023 ranking it has one of the top states with outbreaks last year.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Past outbreaks in the United States have been associated with consumption of imported fresh produce, including fresh cilantro, pre-packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and lettuce.

Thorough washing of fresh produce is recommended, but may not eliminate the risk of transmission since Cyclospora can be difficult to wash off all types of produce.