Cases of stomach bug, "explosive diarrhea" climbing in Kentuckiana

If you've noticed more people around you dealing with a stomach bug that just won't quit, you're not imagining things.

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Cyclosporiasis- a parasitic infection that causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms- is on the rise in several states, and Kentucky is among them.

Norton Healthcare has diagnosed 16 adult patients with Cyclosporiasis over the past three weeks, including seven positive tests just this week alone. For comparison, the health system only saw 13 cases in all of 2025.

"I want to emphasize that this is not a new germ," said Dr. Kris Bryant, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with Norton Healthcare. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically tick up every summer. What's different this year, Bryant said, is that some Midwest states- including Michigan and Ohio- are reporting hundreds of cases.

Bryant noted that Norton Healthcare's numbers reflect patients treated across its service area in Kentucky and Indiana, not just Louisville, and that official case counts for Jefferson County or the state will come from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

What exactly is cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that causes diarrhea. People are usually exposed through contaminated food or water, and past U.S. outbreaks have typically been linked to contaminated produce.

What are the symptoms?

The hallmark symptom is diarrhea- and it can be intense. "The diarrhea can be explosive, and it can last for days to weeks," Bryant said. Some people improve, then relapse, cycling through better and worse spells multiple times.

Other symptoms can include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever

People with healthy immune systems may eventually get better on their own, but Bryant said the illness can drag on. The good news: it can be treated with an antibiotic, which may shorten how long symptoms last.

When should you see a doctor?

Most viral stomach bugs clear up in a couple of days. If your diarrhea is sticking around longer than that, it's worth checking in with a healthcare provider- especially if you have a compromised immune system, which puts you at higher risk of getting sicker.

Signs of dehydration- think excessive thirst, dizziness, or reduced urination- should always prompt a visit to a provider, Bryant said.

Is there a specific food behind this?

Not yet identified. Public health investigators are still working to determine whether there's a common food source linking the rising case counts, and Dr. Bryant said that process is genuinely difficult.

Part of the challenge: the incubation period between exposure and getting sick can range from two days to two weeks or longer, so the food that made someone sick often isn't what they ate the night before symptoms started. Investigators have to ask patients to recall everything they've eaten over a two-week window- a tall order for most people.

"I'm not trying to implicate one particular food item," Dr. Bryant said, noting that produce covers a huge range of items, from cantaloupe to herbs like parsley and basil that show up as ingredients in many dishes.

Cyclosporiasis is a reportable disease, meaning anyone who tests positive will be contacted by their local health department. Bryant encouraged people not to ignore that call- investigators will ask detailed questions about what someone ate, which helps identify potential sources and stop further spread.

How can you protect yourself?

Dr. Bryant offered a few practical steps:

• Wash your hands well with soap and water before and after handling fresh fruits and vegetables
• Rinse all produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cooking, or serving it
• Scrub firm produce like cantaloupe or cucumbers with a produce brush
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours
• Cooking fruits and veggies can kill the parasite, though Bryant acknowledged that's not always practical- "people want a good salad now and again"

Should people be alarmed?

CDC has not labeled this an official outbreak, and Dr. Bryant was careful not to overstate the risk. Still, she acknowledged the illness can be genuinely disruptive- even without hospitalization, weeks of waxing-and-waning diarrhea take a toll on daily life, work, and family.

Anyone can be exposed if they come into contact with contaminated food or water, regardless of age.

If you develop prolonged diarrhea, don't just wait it out- call your primary care provider. There's a test for cyclosporiasis, and if you test positive, there's a treatment that can help you feel better sooner.

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