Texas Health Department to Investigate Rise in Cyclosporiasis Cases

The number of illnesses from the parasite cyclospora is rising more rapidly, prompting the Texas Department of State Health Services to look for a common source.

Department officials said they received reports of 90 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas this year, with 78 coming in the last two weeks. Five of the reported cases came in Dallas County. Collin County (3), Tarrant County (2) and Denton County (1) also reported cases.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the cyclospora parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramps, nausea and a low fever.

Health department officials recommend washing fresh produce; Cooking food kills the parasite.

Texas had 200 reported cases in 2014, some of which were associated with cilantro from the Puebla region in Mexico.

Online: Texas Department of State Health Services

 
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