It is summer! Time for the sun, fun and – yeech – diarrhea

It has become a seasonal rite of pbadage: medical clinics and doctors' offices are reporting a spike in cyclosporosis, an intestinal infection related to the consumption of contaminated fruits and vegetables – the generosity of the disease. summer

In the annual Cyclospora Contest, Bexar County is already in the lead, with 11 cases reported since May, from 56 to the statewide, second only to 16 cases in Travis County.

Harris, the largest county in the state, reported six cases.

Anita Kurian, director of the Communicable Diseases Division of San Antonio Health District, said that Bexar County lives up to what is the norm for this seasonal disease. Yet health authorities have opened an investigation to determine the source of the outbreak – coriander has proved to be the culprit in Texas in recent years.

"We had 41 cases (of cyclosporosis) last year, so what we are seeing now is not so unusual," she said. "We tend to see 10 to 45 cases."

Signs of cyclosporosis include watery diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and low fever. The symptoms may appear and disappear for weeks or months. The disease, often related to fresh products, is caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated by the parasite Cyclospora.

The reason for the outbreak of diarrheal diseases in general in summer is that people are eating more fruits and vegetables, Another reason that the number of cases of cyclosporosis could increase is related to the fact that health care providers are testing it more often.

"When people consult their health care provider with diarrheal diseases, they are not systematically tested. for this parasite, "said Kurian." Now, because we proactively educate providers – "Hey, it's been summer, be on the lookout" – doctors are testing more frequently . They seek it, so they find it. "

Like tuberculosis, HIV and tetanus, cyclosporosis is one of the 80 diseases that health providers are required by law to report to their local health departments."

Kurian said that there are "sensible" methods that will prevent infection, which, although unpleasant, usually does not put life at risk for healthy adults:

Do you wash them hands when working with fresh produce;

Refrigerate fresh fruits and vegetables within two hours of cutting

Keep meat and produce separate, produce, cooking will kill parasite

Public health officials have asked all health providers to test patients with diarrhea for a few days, as well as other symptoms of the disease.The infection is' completely treatable with one year tibiotic, "said Kurian.

In addition to coriander, cyclosporiosis outbreaks were badociated with the prepackaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce. In mid-June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a multi-stage Cyclospora-related disease outbreak linked to vegetable trays sold by Del Monte Fresh Produce. Texas was not among the six affected states, including Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin

. The company recalled trays containing carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and celery stalks.

More than 300 cases of Cyclospora infections were reported in Texas last year. This is the sixth consecutive summer that the state has experienced an epidemic, the agency said.