Texas authorities report dozens of patients with parasitic infections



[ad_1]

Texas authorities warned the public Monday of a seasonal increase in Cyclospora parasite infections, reporting 56 confirmed cases since the beginning of May.

Neither this week's outbreak announcement The Department of Health Services (DSHS) reported an ongoing cyclosporosis outbreak in four other states. At least 185 people are infected by this epidemic, which is badociated with platters of fresh Del Monte precooked vegetables.

Photo illustration

"DSHS collaborates with local state health departments and other states' health departments to detect an outbreak in order to gather information on cases and determine whether there is a common source of infections ". notification of the outbreak of Texas public health officials.

This is the sixth year in a row that the Texas Department of Health has recorded a large number of Cyclospora diseases. Each year, the concentration of cases has been from the late spring to the end of the summer. Research has shown that contaminated fresh coriander from Mexico was the source of the parasites several times.

"Texas has had multiple epidemics related to coriander," the Department of Public Health reported. "… Cyclospora can be very difficult to wash.The cooking will kill the parasite.The infection is not usually transmitted directly from one person to the other.In Texas, 319 cases of cyclosporiasis were reported last year

"Rapid notification to public health is essential to prevent further cases of cyclosporosis. Health care providers and laboratories are required to report confirmed cases of cyclosporosis to their respective local health department. "

Other outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the United States in recent years have been badociated with the consumption of fresh imported products, including fresh prepackaged coriander, salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce

The symptoms of Cyclospora infection are often similar to intestinal viruses that resolve themselves without medical treatment.Therefore, the health department asks people to consult a doctor if they are suffering

Similarly, public health officials advise caregivers to test patients if they have diarrhea for more than a few days or diarrhea accompanied by diarrhea. severe anorexia or fatigue

In addition to producing symptoms that can be confused with other diseases, cyclosporosis requires special laboratory tests with orders Even then, "a single negative stool sample does not rule out the diagnosis; three specimens are optimal, "according to the Texas Department of Health warning.

Cyclosporosis is an intestinal disease caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora . Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after the parasite is ingested.

The main symptom is watery diarrhea that lasts from a few days to a few months. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting, and low fever. The symptoms may appear and disappear several times for weeks or months

(To subscribe for Free subscription to Food Safety News, click here .)

© News about food security

[ad_2]
Source link