Fulton County Health Department addresses nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak; ways to prevent contracting the illness

As numbers continue to climb from the recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis that's been affecting more than 30 states in the U.S., including 270 confirmed cases in Indiana, officials at the Fulton County Health Department says there is precautions you can take to lower your risk. 

Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne intestinal illness caused by the a microscopic parasite. It is spread by consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. The infection is treated with prescription antibiotics and is not generally spread from person to person. 

According to the Center of Disease Control, 1,645 cases have been confirmed across 34 states and over 5,100 additional suspected infections have been under investigation since May 1. This is a sharp increase from the 249 cases reported at this same time last year. A official nationwide source has yet to be finalized by the CDC, but state health officials were reported to be actively looking into fresh produce items, such as bagged lettuce and salad greens as the likely vehicle for the outbreaks. 

While the cyclosporiasis outbreak has yet to be reported in Fulton County, Fulton County Administrator and Head Public Health Nurse Alison Foster says the majority of reports have came from Marion County near Indianapolis and in northwest area around Allen County. Foster said Michigan has also been hit hard by the illness. 

The infection is not directly contagious person-to-person because the Cyclospora parasite requires days or weeks in the environment to become infectious after being shed in a host's stool. Instead, transmission occurs through eating fresh produce that has been infected. 

Foster said while the number of people contracting cyclosporiasis is high, the parasite is not new or rare. 

"Preventing the spread here in Fulton County comes down to staying on top of food and hygiene safety. Washing your vegetables and hands thoroughly before preparing food. Peel the vegetable if you can, wash the vegetables and then wash your hands again so you're not contaminating the product you just washed," Foster said. "Cross contamination is another big thing. Make sure you're washing your cutting boards and keeping your items separated in the refrigerator. It's honestly things people should be doing all of the time anyways, but right now people should be extra careful."

Those who suspect they've been been contaminated by a cyclosporiasis infection should contact their doctor or a health clinic to be tested for the parasite. For any diarrheal illness, drinking fluids to remain hydrated is important. Those with severe symptoms should seek care at an urgent care center or hospital. 

There are many causes of diarrhea, and since the infection is treatable with a specific antibiotic, getting diagnosed is important. Cyclosporiasis typically lasts from a few weeks to a month or longer if left untreated. Symptoms often follow a relapsing course, where they seem to subside and then return.