Further cases have been reported in North Carolina amidst the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes cyclosporiasis as an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is also known as cyclospora. Infection is caused by consuming food or water that contains the parasite, and symptoms may include watery diarrhea and can be explosive, abdominal cramps and bloating, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and low-grade fever. Vomiting has also been reported as a symptom, but is less common.
The CDC has reported 6,358 cases, 278 hospitalizations and two deaths associated with the outbreak, which is affecting multiple states including North Carolina as of Aug.
5. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has reported more than 850 cases of cyclosporiasis within the state, including nearly 150 newly reported cases between July 28 and Aug. 4.
Here's the latest in the Tar Heel State.
How many cases of cyclosporiasis are there in North Carolina?
According to the most recent updates to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services cyclosporiasis dashboard, there have been 867 cases of cyclosporiasis recorded in North Carolina since May. This includes 149 newly reported cases between July 28 and Aug. 4.
Additionally, there have been 33 hospitalizations since May, including nine newly reported hospitalizations between July 28 and Aug. 4.
What foods carry cyclospora in North Carolina? Is Taco Bell lettuce safe in North Carolina?
A previous N.C. DHHS news release from July 17 noted that, while a recent increase in cyclosporiasis cases "does not appear to be associated with the outbreak in other states involving Taco Bell," certain foods including parsley, cilantro and lettuce have been noted to be most linked to North Carolina cases.
"While this type of information can suggest which types of produce are more likely to be contaminated, it does not prove with certainty that any of these were the source of infection," the release stated. N.C. DHHS is continuing to work with state and local partners to identify potential sources for the increase in cases.
Taylor Farms in center of another recall for jalapenos
A Monday, Aug. 10, report from Reuters noted that Taylor Farms, which previously issued a recall on iceberg lettuce due to cyclospora contamination, has issued further recalls on products due to potential salmonella contamination. Prepared foods that contain jalapenos and were recalled in about 26 states, with affected products sold in several large chain retailers including Walmart, Kroger and Whole Foods.
The recalled items were sold in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
Has anyone died from cyclosporiasis?
According to the most recent CDC data from Aug. 5, two deaths in Michigan have been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Where is the cyclosporiasis outbreak? Which states have the most cyclosporiasis?
Latest numbers from the CDC confirmed a number of new cases, bringing the nationwide total to 6,358 reported cases in 15 states associated with the outbreak since May 1. The agency adds that cases may not be limited to the states with known cases, as "the true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis was likely higher than the number reported" due to the tendency of many to recover without medical care or testing.
According to the CDC, states where case numbers are over 100 sick people include:
- Michigan - 3491
- Ohio - 645
- Missouri - 568
- Indiana - 370
- Kentucky - 265
- Oklahoma - 183
- Kansas - 165
- Illinois - 164
- Pennsylvania - 132
- West Virginia - 126
Numbers recorded by individual state health departments may be higher.
Is cyclosporiasis contagious?
According to the CDC, cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water that was contaminated with infected feces. As it takes at least 1-2 weeks in the environment outside of the body for cyclospora to become infectious after passing in a bowel movement, direct person-to-person transmission of the parasite is deemed "very unlikely."
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC cyclospora cases increase as Taylor Farms sees another recall
