{"id":3531,"date":"2026-07-14T10:03:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3531"},"modified":"2026-07-14T10:03:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:03:31","slug":"explosive-diarrhea-sickness-linked-to-pools-splash-pads-spreading-in-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3531","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Explosive diarrhea\u2019 sickness linked to pools, splash pads spreading in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 A parasite called Cyclospora, linked to severe gastrointestinal illness, is spreading across the country\u2014including in Arizona\u2014and health officials say pools and splash pads may be contributing to its spread.<\/p>\n

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Maricopa County Public Health reports 10 current cases of cyclosporiasis in the county. Nationwide, nearly 850 cases have been confirmed and 86 people have been hospitalized.<\/p>\n

Resistant to chlorine, hard to detect<\/h2>\n

Health experts say the Cyclospora parasite is resistant to chlorine and bleach, making it difficult to eliminate from pools and splash pads. Dr. Rucha Shah, a gastroenterologist with HonorHealth, said those water environments present particular risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are hotbeds for feces, unfortunately, especially with young children. So a lot of those bugs get killed by the chlorine. This one\u2019s a little bit more resistant,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n

Cases may be undercounted<\/h2>\n

Dr. Shah said the reported numbers of cyclosporiasis cases may not reflect the full scope of the outbreak because Cyclospora is difficult to detect through routine testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur standard stool tests are looking for things like E. coli or Salmonella or Shigella, which are infections and viruses, as opposed to this is a parasitic infection,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n

She added that the parasite or its eggs may not always appear in a given sample. \u201cSo sometimes not every sample may have the actual bug or the eggs itself. And so then it doesn\u2019t get picked up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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Symptoms and treatment<\/h2>\n

Cyclosporiasis can cause explosive diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating, and fatigue. Symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after exposure. Dr. Shah said the illness can last longer than other gastrointestinal infections.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one can be a little bit longer. And it\u2019s because it\u2019s just a bit more resistant,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really frustrating, especially when you have young children,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n

Cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics, but doctors say early detection is important.<\/p>\n

How to reduce risk<\/h2>\n

Health officials say people who are sick should stay out of pools and splash pads to prevent further spread. \u201cIt\u2019s something that we really need to be careful about, because that\u2019s really how it gets there,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n

Additional precautions include:<\/p>\n