Diseases Caused by Cyclospora Parasite Invites Public Health Survey



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State health officials are investigating 56 cases of disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora since the beginning of May.

The DSHS works with local health departments around the state. departments dealing with epidemics, to determine whether there is a common source of infection.

Cyclosporosis is an intestinal disease caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora

The main symptom is an aqueous diarrhea lasting 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. Symptoms can appear and disappear several times over weeks or months.

People with symptoms similar to those listed above should consult a health care provider.

for more than a few days or diarrhea accompanied by a severe loss of appetite or fatigue. Health care providers must quickly report cases so that public health can review them and try to determine the source to prevent future cases.

Domestic outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of freshly imported products, including packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas and green mesclun. Texas had several coriander-related outbreaks

DSHS recommends carefully washing all fresh products, but this does not entirely eliminate the risk, as the parasite is particularly difficult to wash. Cooking the product will kill the parasite and the infection is not usually transmitted by person-to-person contact.

More than 300 cases of cyclosporosis were reported in Texas last year.

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