MADISON, Wis. — Doctors are urging people to carefully wash fresh fruits and vegetables after a parasitic outbreak sickened nearly 150 people across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 145 cyclosporiasis cases were confirmed from May 1 through June 16. The agency says Wisconsin has between one and 10 confirmed cases.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora parasite. Dr. James Conway, a UW Health physician, said cases are more common during the warmer months.

“Typically, the CDC actually calls May through August Cyclospora season,” Conway said.

Conway said fruits and vegetables remain an essential part of a healthy diet, but fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before it is eaten.

“If you’ve got something that’s heavily contaminated and then you eat a lot of it without having washed it off or cooking it, that’s where people typically get more severe cases,” Conway said.

Symptoms can be uncomfortable and may include cramping, abdominal discomfort and watery diarrhea. In severe cases, people can lose weight and become fatigued.

“Symptoms are usually cramping, abdominal discomfort and then watery diarrhea for most people,” Conway said.

Of the 145 confirmed cases, 20 people have been hospitalized across 17 states.

Conway said people get Cyclospora infections every year, but this outbreak appears broader than usual.

“I think it’s a good reminder that everything, especially things like berries or leafy things, really needs to get washed very, very thoroughly before people eat them,” Conway said.

Health officials are working to determine how the outbreak happened and whether the confirmed cases are linked.

“This one just seems to be a broader outbreak and causing more severe disease,” Conway said. “And so they’re trying to figure out: Is it something different about the bug, or is there that much more of it that people are getting exposed to?”

Conway said it is very unlikely for someone to die from Cyclospora. He also said the disease is not considered contagious and is very unlikely to spread from person to person.

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