Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite with a very loud impact on your gut, has now been confirmed in Mecklenburg County as North Carolina joins a broader multi-state outbreak this summer. The bug typically triggers watery, sometimes severe diarrhea along with cramps, nausea, and fatigue, with symptoms usually kicking in about a week after exposure. Health officials are urging residents to be extra careful with fresh produce while investigators work to figure out where contaminated items slipped into the food chain.
Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services took to X to confirm cases in Mecklenburg County and to remind residents that “thorough washing of fruits, vegetables, berries, and fresh herbs” can help cut the risk, according to NCDHHS. The agency also urged anyone dealing with persistent diarrhea to contact a health care provider so labs can specifically test for Cyclospora…