Health authorities have urged extreme caution as cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by parasites, is spreading rapidly in Maryland.
According to the State Department of Health, at least 32 people in Maryland have been infected with cyclosporiasis. Of these, 28 cases occurred intensively within the past month, and confirmed cases are continuing to emerge in areas such as Baltimore. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 145 confirmed cases have been reported across the U.S. so far this year, but fortunately, there have been no reported deaths.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal disease transmitted through food or water contaminated with parasites. Major symptoms include frequent and severe watery diarrhea, accompanied by severe fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, gas, vomiting, and a low-grade fever. Without proper treatment, symptoms can persist for days to months, and some infected individuals may not show any symptoms. The CDC emphasized, “To prevent the surge in parasitic infections from May to August, you must wash your hands frequently and thoroughly,” adding that “it is especially important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before consumption.”
Meanwhile, Maryland recorded a total of 204 confirmed cases in 2024, with 128 infections reported last year.