CINCINNATI (WKRC) - An illness that causes bad gastrointestinal symptoms has been reported in at least 31 states, including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. It’s a foodborne illness called Cyclospora.

The concern about this GI illness is that if a person gets it, they need to stay out of swimming pools to prevent the spread. Since this is prime pool season, the illness is spreading – from Texas, to Ohio, to New York.

It’s caused by a microscopic parasite.

“It’s a typical gastrointestinal illness from which diarrhea predominates,” said Dr. Steve Feagins, medical director of Hamilton County Public Health.

Feagins said Cyclospora infection is often linked to spices and other fresh foods. The Food and Drug Administration has linked 20 of the cases so far in Alabama and Georgia to fresh broccoli, but can’t find one producer or type in tracing investigations.

The most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows more than 581 cases of it have now been reported in at least 31 states since April. Sick people range in age from three to 96.

While no deaths have been reported, more than 50 people have been hospitalized so far from Cyclospora.

One antibiotic works to treat it, but the most important thing to know is this:

“An individual diagnosed with Cyclospora is really told not to go to a public swimming pool for 14 days, because chlorine doesn’t kill it,” Dr. Feagins said.

For anyone who’s had a GI bug that doesn’t seem to be going away, it’s suggested to get tested for this illness.

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