3 things you need to know about Cyclospora

A parasitic infection called Cyclospora, often transmitted through contaminated food or water, has spread throughout the United States.

As of July 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 843 infections (the main symptom of which can cause watery diarrhea for weeks) and 86 hospitalizations. Nationwide cases and hospitalizations are likely to exceed these numbers because the CDC takes longer to receive reports from state health departments, which are reporting above-average case counts in a wide range of states, including Michigan, New York, Kentucky, and Texas.

The outbreak has not yet been linked to a common source, and businesses in sectors such as restaurants, grocery stores and agriculture are at a loss as to both next steps and the potential economic impact of the outbreak. Stocks in those three industries were mostly stable on Monday, and spokespeople for several restaurant chains, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, the parent company of Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs, and Restaurant Brands International, told CNBC they were aware of the outbreak but had not yet seen evidence that their food was at risk.

Meanwhile, national and state health officials are working to determine the cause of the outbreak, but here are some facts about Cyclospora and what you can do to stay safe.

Cyclospora is not a fatal infection and rarely causes death. “There is no evidence that this parasite has evolved to be more infectious,” Deanna Blau, acting director of the CDC’s Parasitic Diseases Branch, told The Associated Press on July 9. The cause of this current epidemic of Cyclospora is unknown. Past outbreaks were often associated with fresh foods such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, and lettuce. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent foodborne illness is to wash fresh foods before eating them and wash your hands before handling or preparing food. If you have symptoms such as watery diarrhea, weight loss, or loss of appetite, the CDC recommends consulting your health care provider rather than trying home remedies to resolve the problem. Health care professionals can prescribe appropriate treatments, and reporting infections helps increase CDC surveillance of the outbreak.

—CNBC’s Yun Li contributed reporting.

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