Diarrhea-causing parasite spreads to NJ – NJ Top News

Here are the top stories on NJ 101.5 for Monday, July 13, 2026.

An 8 year old girl and her grandmother died in a house fire in Orange over the weekend (Google Street View/Facebook/Canva)

⚫ Orange house fire claims the lives of an 8 year old girl and her grandmother

ORANGE — The investigation continues into the cause of a five alarm fire that swept through a home this weekend in Orange, killing an 8 year old girl and her 70 year old grandmother.

Essex County prosecutors say the blaze broke out Saturday morning at a home on Park Place. CBS News reports some neighbors tried jumping on a lower roof to try and break a window to rescue the residents, but there was too much smoke.

Prosecutors identified the deceased as 70 year old Omilia Mereste, and her 8 year old granddaughter, Bianca Mereste. There is no word yet on the cause.

Cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes explosive diarrhea in people, has infected between 30 and 80 people so far in New Jersey, according to state health officials (Canva)

⚫ Parasitic infection that causes explosive diarrhea hits New Jersey hard

State health officials say a parasitic infection that's sweeping the country has now led to several dozen cases in New Jersey. Health officials say between 31 and 80 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported as of this past week in the Garden State.

Other states have recorded many more, such as Michigan, where more than 12,000 cases are recorded. The infection is a rare, food-related stomach parasite linked to explosive diarrhea, among the many symptoms, in 17 states.

The condition is not life-threatening, but people can experience cramps, nausea, fatigue and vomiting. While the source of the infection remains under investigation, previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, like berries and lettuce.

New Jersey Blood Services has put out an urgent call for blood donations as summer heatwaves and flooding cancel donation appointments (Canva/Facebook)

⚫ New Jersey is in desperate need of blood so can you help?

The New Jersey Blood Services has put out an urgent call for blood after supplies have hit an "unprecedented low" thanks to recent heatwaves, power outages, and flooding that either cancelled or postponed donation appointments leading up to the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

More than 3,000 fewer donations were made leading up to the Fourth, NJ.com reports, leaving the New Jersey region with only a two-day blood supply, officials said in a statement.

The region typically tries to maintain a five to seven day supply of blood. Officials are asking for donors, especially with Type O blood to make appointments to donate as soon as possible.

Steel Pier Atlantic City | Google Maps

⚫ Two ATV-riding Atlantic City police officers injure 7 on the boardwalk

ATLANTIC CITY — Two police officers riding ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), collided on Saturday, injuring seven people on the boardwalk, according to the Atlantic City Police Department.

The incident happened on the boardwalk at Brighton Avenue. The officers collided while patrolling the boards, striking two pedestrians and a tramcar. Video shared on social media shows one officer rear ending the other and the pushing the first ATV into people.

The incident remains under investigation.

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