BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The number of cyclosporiasis cases in the state has nearly doubled, rising from 35 to 55, according to health officials. An infectious disease expert and a local farmer spoke about the impact on the community.
What is cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a parasite that comes from human feces and can infiltrate water sources used to wash crops. Once in the body, it hides in cells, multiplies without triggering the immune system, and causes diarrhea lasting days or even weeks.
Dr. Catherine O’Neal with the FMOL Health System said the infection is unlike a typical gastrointestinal illness.
“This infection causes prolonged diarrhea, lots of episodes of diarrhea during the day,” O’Neal said. “It can kind of stop. You think it’s gone and then start again.”
Tracking the outbreak
O’Neal said a person can be infected for up to two weeks before experiencing any symptoms, making it difficult to trace the source…