The first confirmed case of Cyclosporiasis has been found in Sampson County this week, and cases continue to rise in North Carolina. As of July 14, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported 307 cases statewide, including 13 hospitalizations since May 1.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with a microscopic parasite. The time between infection and symptoms is typically about one week. The parasite usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected do not have any symptoms. The disease can be treated with certain antibiotics. “If you are experiencing severe or persistent diarrhea, you should reach out to your health care provider,” said state Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore.
Officials stressed that Cyclosporiasis can be especially hard on children because of the loss of fluids, and urge parents to seek medical attention if their children become dehydrated due to infection. Signs of dehydration in children include lethargy, irritability, sunken eyes, and skin changes.
North Carolina is among dozens of states seeing a rise in Cyclosporiasis cases this season, and while no single food has been determined as the cause, raspberries, romaine lettuce, cilantro, basil, and parsley are thought to be potential sources.
The NC Health Department encourages good hygiene, including hand washing, rinsing produce under running water, and ensuring hard produce such as melons is scrubbed firmly to lessen the risk of contamination. Cyclospora can survive the trip from the field, where produce is grown, to the plate, particularly if the produce is not cleaned.
Since the incubation period between contamination and symptoms is seven days, it can be hard to know the source of contamination. “Many individuals may not even realize they have consumed the ingredient that is making them sick, which makes tracing the source of contamination more difficult,” said Dr. Carl Williams, State Public Health Veterinarian. “For example, someone may recall that they had pico de gallo with their dinner, but not that it included cilantro.”
Sampson County is being monitored for possible local clusters, and the outbreak season will continue through Aug. 31. Cases will continue to be monitored, and case counts will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. For more information on Cyclosporiasis visit NCDHHS.gov or contact the Sampson County Health Department.
Attempts to reach nurses at the Sampson Health Department for comment on the local impact were unsuccessful at press time.