Crawford County Health Officials Warn of Rising Diarrheal Illness, Suspect Parasite

Protect Your Family: What to Know — text overlay on a bright kitchen scene with a bowl of apples, oranges, and lemons on a wood counter

Crawford County Public Health posted a notice this week warning residents about a recent rise in diarrheal illness across the county. Health officials say the symptoms point to cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis.

The source of the local cases is still under investigation. Here's what Galion residents need to know, and what you can do right now to protect yourself and your family.

What Is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a tiny parasite. People usually get it by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with feces containing the parasite. It's most often linked to fresh produce, especially in the summer months.

The good news: it doesn't spread easily from person to person, the way a cold or flu does. The parasite needs days to weeks in the environment before it can make someone else sick, so casual contact with someone who's ill isn't the main risk. Contaminated food and water are.

Symptoms to Watch For

According to Crawford County Public Health and the CDC, symptoms include:

• Frequent, watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Nausea (vomiting is less common)
• Low-grade fever
• Fatigue

Symptoms usually show up two to 14 days after exposure. Left untreated, they can last weeks and even come back after you start feeling better. If you're dealing with diarrhea that won't quit, don't just wait it out. See your doctor. A stool test can confirm cyclosporiasis, and antibiotics can knock it out and prevent it from relapsing.

This Isn't Just a Crawford County Problem

Crawford County isn't alone. Toledo-Lucas County Health Department confirmed its own rise in cyclosporiasis cases starting June 1, and Monroe County is investigating cases as well. Health officials in both areas are still working to pin down the source.

Nationally, the CDC has tracked at least 145 cases across 17 states this year, with 20 people hospitalized. The CDC says this year's outbreak season began May 1, and cases so far have skewed toward adults in their 40s, with a slight majority being women.

Past outbreaks across the country have been traced back to things like cilantro, berries, basil, and leafy greens. That doesn't mean those foods are unsafe right now, but it's a reminder that fresh produce is the most common culprit, and washing it well matters more than people realize.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Fresh cilantro, cucumber, strawberries, and blackberries being rinsed in a colander under running water in a kitchen sink

1. Wash your hands often. Soap and water, especially before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables, and after using the bathroom.
2. Wash all produce thoroughly. Rinse everything under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking it, even if you plan to peel it.
3. Scrub firm produce. Melons, cucumbers, and similar items should get a scrub with a clean produce brush before you slice into them.
4. Cut away damaged or bruised spots on fruits and vegetables before you prepare them.
5. Refrigerate cut or prepped produce fast. Get it in the fridge within two hours of cutting, peeling, or cooking.
6. Watch your water source. If you're ever unsure about the safety of your water, whether it's well water, water while traveling, or water from a source you don't fully trust, bottled or properly filtered water is the safer call.
7. Stay home if you're sick. Avoid preparing food for others or being around people, especially older adults and young children, until your symptoms clear.
8. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can set in fast with this kind of illness, especially for older adults and kids. Water, broth, and electrolyte drinks all help.

When to See a Doctor

Call your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, very little urination), or just isn't getting better. A proper diagnosis means faster relief and a lower chance the illness comes back.

Sources

• Crawford County Public Health, Facebook notice, June 2026
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cyclosporiasis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Surveillance of Cyclosporiasis
• Ohio Department of Health, Infectious Disease Control Manual, Cyclosporiasis Reporting Information, odh.ohio.gov
• Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, case increase notice, June 2026
• WTOL, "Lucas, Monroe counties investigating recent cases of intestinal illness Cyclosporiasis," June 2026