By admin 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — There are now more than 200 North Carolina cases of parasitic infection that can cause explosive diarrhea and other problems.
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Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite typically found on contaminated produce.
Doctors say some infections pop up every summer, but North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services reports at least 205 cases since May 1.
“Seems like a good amount, and I would expect maybe more to come,” said Dr. Cramer McCullen, a family medicine doctor with Novant Health. “Just because cases have been identified in North Carolina doesn’t mean they necessarily started here because of the interstate exchange of produce and food, so it’s hard to pinpoint maybe where exactly it came from.”
McCullen says symptoms can include nausea, fatigue and other gastrointestinal issues in addition to diarrhea.
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Mecklenburg County has had 14 cases, and public health officials say some of those people had traveled internationally.
Joy Smith, the county’s communicable disease director, says the only way to determine if stomach problems are cyclosporiasis is with a lab test by a healthcare provider.
She recommends washing produce and hands before eating to prevent getting sick.
McCullen suggests going to a doctor if symptoms persist for two to three days.