Cases of Cyclosporiasis continue to spread across the Sunshine State, with infections now reported in 45 of Florida’s 67 counties. The parasitic infection can cause frequent, watery diarrhea and other
gastrointestinal symptoms that may last for weeks. But there’s a bit of good news: The pace of new infections appears to be slowing.
Since last week’s report, the Florida Department of Health has added 43 probable and confirmed cases across 17 counties, bringing the statewide total to 450 cases reported between May 1 and Aug. 15.
However, things are looking optimistic for Northeast Florida. Across the greater Jacksonville area, health officials reported only one new case in Duval County, bringing the region’s total to 23 confirmed infections. Clay County still remains at zero.
Here’s a look at the latest case counts in Northeast Florida, along with a nationwide map showing where infections have been reported across Florida.
What's the latest count of cyclosporiasis across Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties?
According to theFlorida Department of Health's latest report on confirmed and probable cases, the Jacksonville area has recorded 23 cases of cyclosporiasis as of August 21.
- Duval County: 10
- Nassau: 2
- St. Johns County: 11
- Clay County: 0
Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida
Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida
Florida reported 450 probable and confirmed cases between May 1 and Aug. 15. The state has reported 460 cases since the beginning of the year. The counties with the most cases reported are Miami-Dade (55), Lee (39), Bay and Broward (55 each), Orange (30), Palm Beach (23), and Polk (20).
Cases by county since May 1, with last week's increase:
- Alachua County: 5
- Baker County: 1
- Bay County: 35 (+11)
- Brevard County: 6
- Broward County: 35 (+1)
- Charlotte County: 4 (+2)
- Citrus County: 1
- Collier County: 7
- Columbia County: 1
- Duval County: 10 (+1)
- Escambia County: 5
- Flagler County: 3
- Gadsden County: 1
- Gilchrist County: 1 (+1)
- Hardee County: 2 (+2)
- Hernando County: 2
- Highlands County: 2
- Hillsborough County: 14 (+1)
- Indian River County: 1
- Jackson County: 3
- Lake County: 8
- Lee County: 39 (+6)
- Leon County: 7
- Manatee County: 12 (+1)
- Marion County: 5
- Martin County: 2
- Miami-Dade County: 55 (+2)
- Monroe County: 2
- Nassau County: 2
- Okaloosa County: 9
- Orange County: 30 (+2)
- Osceola County: 8
- Palm Beach County: 23 (+1)
- Pasco County: 10 (+2)
- Pinellas County: 19 (+2)
- Polk County: 20 (+2)
- Santa Rosa County: 6
- Sarasota County: 10 (+5)
- Seminole County: 11
- St. Johns County: 11
- St. Lucie County: 3
- Sumter County: 2
- Volusia County: 12
- Wakulla County: 1
- Walton County: 4 (+1)
What's the latest count of cyclosporiasis across the U.S?
As of Aug. 18, theCDC has now reported 15,716 cases of the foodborne illness in 47 states, up from 10,468 a week earlier. Cases have been reported in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. At least 10,455 additional cases this year have not yet been laboratory confirmed, the agency said.
National cyclosporiasis numbers
Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed:
- 13,895 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis
- 740 hospitalizations
- 2 deaths
- Cases reported in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
CDC numbers include only laboratory-confirmed domestic cases and typically lag by about six weeks, the agency said.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of cyclosporiasis is persistent, watery diarrhea.
Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms, while others may show no symptoms.
Symptoms can develop from two days to more than two weeks after infection. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from several days to a month or longer. Anyone with persistent symptoms should contact a health care provider.
How to avoid cyclosporiasis
The single best way to avoid the illness is not to eat food connected with an outbreak, the CDC said, but Florida sees cases every year not connected to an outbreak. Fightbac.org offers more tips on avoiding foodborne illnesses:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food.
- Discard outer layers of fruits and vegetables when possible.
- Rinse produce thoroughly under clean running water. Be aware that Cyclospora is resistant to rinsing. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce
- Use caution with pre-washed or pre-cut produce
- Avoid cross-contamination by cleaning kitchen surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils.
- Cook produce when possible. Cyclospora cannot survive temperatures of at least 158 degrees.
- Buy your produce from local growers, or grow it yourself..
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida cyclosporiasis cases hit 450 as infections slow in Jacksonville
