Cyclosporiasis Cases Surge in Wake County
Wake County reported over 30 new cases of Cyclosporiasis on Thursday, raising the overall count to 270 individuals affected by this diarrhea-inducing parasite.
The county’s health department confirmed that five people have been hospitalized due to cyclospora, a tiny parasite leading to severe gastrointestinal issues, including what some have described as “explosive diarrhea.” The parasite is transmitted when contaminated food or drinks are consumed.
In North Carolina, more than 300 Cyclosporiasis cases have emerged, with Wake County accounting for a significant portion. State health officials also noted that 14 individuals across North Carolina have been hospitalized due to this stomach bug.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently monitoring more than 1,500 cases across five states, recently tracing some of them back to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell.
However, North Carolina has not yet identified the specific source of the infections there.
Tracing the source of infections can be quite challenging due to the lengthy duration for symptoms to appear, making it hard to pinpoint when and where the contamination occurred.
Dr. Carl Williams, the State Public Health Veterinarian for NCDHHS, elaborated on the complexity of identifying the outbreak source. Symptoms often manifest 2-14 days post-exposure, which complicates patients’ ability to recall their recent meals.
Dr. Christopher Chao, medical director at WakeMed Urgent Care, emphasized the difficulty in narrowing down sources. He noted, “Most patients don’t get sick for at least a week, and when we try to conduct interviews, many can’t remember what they ate.”
Typically, Cyclosporiasis cases increase during the summer months, largely because the parasite is frequently found in fresh produce consumed raw.
Dr. Williams mentioned that foodborne illness investigations often rely on patient interviews for food history. Delays can lead to vague recollections of food choices rather than specific items consumed.
This investigation is particularly challenging since Cyclospora is often associated with ingredients like cilantro and parsley, which are commonly mixed into dishes and easily overlooked.
The recent largest Cyclosporiasis outbreak in North Carolina involved over 130 cases linked to several Wake County restaurants. Health officials later determined that a shrimp and parsley salad was the source after interviewing affected individuals months later.
In response to past outbreaks, NCDHHS has reinforced its investigative methods through collaboration with the Wake County Health Department, the CDC, the FDA, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. These agencies now work together on interviews, tracing ingredients, and genetic testing to find connections between cases.
Another obstacle is the short shelf life of fresh produce. By the time a common ingredient is identified among affected individuals, the contaminated item may have already been removed from the market.
As the search for the common source continues, health officials recommend thoroughly washing fresh produce and seeking medical help if severe symptoms arise.
People experiencing severe diarrhea or persistent gastrointestinal distress lasting several days should reach out to a healthcare provider. Diagnosing Cyclospora typically involves a stool sample, although Dr. Chao commented that testing is likely discouraged until symptoms have persisted for several days.
“We urge the public to resist the urge to test too early. Most diarrhea cases resolve within a few days, and viral infections are still prevalent. Therefore, we advise deferring testing for anything under seven days,” he said.
