U.S. health authorities have placed a partial ban on cilantro imported from the Mexican state of Puebla after a batch of the plant contaminated with human feces infected more than 380 people in 26 states with Cyclosporiasis.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration have begun an investigation into the source of the Cyclosporiasis outbreak, which reportedly started after May 1.

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This is the fourth time in as many years that the U.S. has been hit by an outbreak of the painful parasitical stomach ailment. Cyclosporiasis symptoms include diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. The condition can last for weeks and even months if untreated.

Cilantro imported from Puebla is alleged to have been the cause of the outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The FDA suspects that victims of the latest outbreak became infected after "contact with the parasite shed from the intestinal tract of human" in cilantro fields in Mexico. The infections may have also emerged from contaminated water or unhygienic harvesting and packaging process.

Cases of the illness have been reported in Texas, Wisconsin and Georgia. Most infections have been traced back to contaminated cilantro served at restaurants.

Both U.S. and Mexican health authorities have investigated 11 cilantro farms and packaging centers in Puebla. They discovered human feces, toilet papers and facilities without running water and toilets.

According to the FDA, eight firms - including five linked to the U.S. outbreaks - were found to be unhygienic and posing dire health risks.

The FDA has since banned the importation of cilantro from the region. However, a few approved companies are licensed to import the plant in summer.

Authorities have also cautioned people to inquire about the origins of cilantro before purchasing it. Officials added that washing the plant has not been proven to remove the pathogen that causes infection. However, cooking it at high temperatures will reduce the tendency of being contaminated.

"If you are concerned go back to the store and ask the retailer where they purchased the cilantro," FDA spokeswoman Lauren Sucher said. "If in doubt, throw it out."

TagsCyclosporiasis outbreak U.S., FDA Bans Mexican cilantro, Cyclosporiasis outbreak Texas