The US’s Explosive Diarrhea Problem Is Worse Than You Think—And It’s About to Get Even Messier

[Narrator] The US's explosive diarrhea problem

is worse than you think, and it's about to get messier.

The US is currently grappling with a fast spreading outbreak

of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection

that causes extreme gastrointestinal distress.

Nearly 7,000 potential cases have been detected,

with 3,309 confirmed cases in Michigan alone.

But the actual case count is almost certainly higher,

possibly more than double,

as most people don't seek medical care.

And even when they do, labs don't routinely test

for cyclosporiasis, as it's not as common

as other foodborne illnesses, one expert told Wired.

The effects of infection are, let's just say, not pleasant.

The CDC says without treatment,

symptoms can last anywhere from a few days

to a month or longer.

The Cyclospora parasite is most commonly found in fresh

and raw produce, particularly herbs

and berries, as well as lettuce, which is suspected

as being the source of the current outbreak.

Public health officials have urged people

to thoroughly clean produce,

and Taco Bell has said it's removing some ingredients

as a precautionary measure.

How could things get worse?

An infectious diseases expert

told Wired that the cyclospora parasite

has unique mechanisms that allow it

to lodge into the crevices

of other fruits and vegetables.

It's also resistant to bleach, chlorine,

and common sanitizers.

Cooking kills the parasite,

but then who is cooking lettuce and berries?

A lawyer who specializes in food poison cases told Wired

that, while historically,

most cyclosporiasis cases

were from imported produce,

all-American outbreaks were increasingly likely,

for the simple and gross reason that

as more people get sickened, it increases the chances

of water supplies getting infected

and further outbreaks taking place.

This current outbreak,

the infectious diseases expert told us,

could end up being reported in all 50 states.