India, July 13 -- Health officials in the United States are investigating a rise in cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach illness caused by a parasite. The illness is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The parasite mainly spreads through contaminated food and water.

The infection usually spreads when food or water is contaminated with human feces. The disease does not spread from one person to another. Health officials say the illness is usually not life-threatening.

Cyclosporiasis cases are most common during the summer months in the US. The CDC considers the cyclosporiasis season to run from May 1 to August 31 every year. This year, several US s...