Douglas County Health Department Investigates Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Taco Bell
The Douglas County Health Department has confirmed 27 cases of Cyclospora, a parasitic infection, in the area. The outbreak has been linked to Taco Bell, with nearly two-thirds of the affected individuals reporting having eaten at the restaurant two weeks prior to falling ill. The health department is collaborating with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine if these cases are part of a larger multistate outbreak. Cyclospora is known to cause cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness with symptoms such as frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Without treatment, the illness can persist for several weeks.