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Parasite Found in Human Waste Spreads to Food
11 Aug
Summary
- Cyclospora parasite replicates in human intestines, causing severe diarrhea.
- Contaminated sewage is used to irrigate crops, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.
- Wastewater surveillance can help monitor and predict outbreaks of the parasite.
The Cyclospora parasite, which causes severe diarrhea in humans, can spread through a self-perpetuating cycle involving human waste and irrigated crops. Oocysts are excreted in feces, often entering sewage systems where treatment may not fully eliminate them. These oocysts can mature in the environment and contaminate food or water, leading to new infections.
This issue gained prominence with a large outbreak in the U.S. that sickened over 22,000 people and caused two deaths in Michigan. Treated sewage is frequently used for irrigation, especially in water-scarce regions, but regulations for removing or monitoring such parasites are lacking in many areas.
Wastewater surveillance offers a tool to monitor disease levels in communities and assess the effectiveness of sewage treatment. Researchers at Michigan State University are developing advanced methods to detect Cyclospora oocysts more accurately, which could help in early outbreak detection and control.
While chlorination in sewage treatment is not fully effective against similar protozoa, UV light can inactivate some related parasites. Improving wastewater monitoring and treatment technologies is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted through contaminated food and water, especially with climate change potentially accelerating parasite maturation.
