A tiny parasite is causing explosive diarrhea in hundreds of New Yorkers who never even left home

Imagine eating a fresh summer salad, only to end up in the hospital days later in pain. That is what hundreds of people are going through right now.

What Happened

New York City has found 273 cases of a stomach parasite since May 1. That is a huge jump. The parasite is called cyclospora.

Usually, people get this bug when they travel out of the country. But many of the sick people have not left home. This means they are getting sick from tainted food sold right here.

So far, 301 people have fallen ill in the city this year. State officials say another 125 people have gotten sick outside the city. Michigan has it even worse, with 681 reported cases.

Fact Box

• 273: Confirmed cases in New York City since May 1.
• 125: Additional cases across New York State.
• 681: Confirmed cases in Michigan, the hardest-hit state.
• 1 to 2 weeks: Time it takes for the parasite to become active, meaning it rarely spreads person-to-person.
• 0: Safe sources identified so far by health officials.

Why It Matters

This bug causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. If you do not get help, the sickness can last for a month or more. This puts kids and older people at risk of losing too much water.

It is hard to spot this illness early. Standard stool tests do not look for it. Doctors have to run a special test, which means many cases are missed.

What Happens Next

Health teams are working together. They are looking at what sick people ate to find the source.

Officials urge everyone to wash their raw produce. You should wash and cook things like salad mix, cilantro, and berries before eating them.

What We Still Don't Know

1. Which specific food is carrying the parasite?
2. How many more people have the illness but only got a basic medical test?
3. Will the number of cases keep rising as the hot summer months continue?

Source Note

This story is based on reporting by The New York Post.