Tarrant County reports cases of foodborne parasite causing explosive diarrhea
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating cluster cases of a parasitic illness across 17 states, including Texas. Tarrant County has reported fewer than five cases of the sickness, called cyclosporiasis, this year.
The illness is caused by eating food or drinking water that may have feces in it. When ingested, the parasite causes explosive diarrhea that lasts roughly one week but can last up to a month.
Symptoms may seem to subside and then return one or more times. While cyclosporiasis may cause hospitalization, it is not considered life-threatening.
Typically, the parasite is acquired by people who ate or drank water outside the U.S., but 100 of the 145 nationally documented instances were people who had not recently travelled out of the country.
Kennedy Sam, a spokesperson for the Tarrant County Public Health Department, said none of the reports received over the past month seem to be connected to an outbreak.
“Cases of foodborne illnesses like cyclospora often increase during the summer, so we encourage residents to wash their hands with soap and water before handling or preparing food, and to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating,” Sam said. “We advise anyone experiencing symptoms of foodborne illness to contact their healthcare provider for guidance.”
According to the CDC, Texas has between 11 and 30 known cases. New York, which has the most reported cases, has seen between 31 and 80 cyclosporiasis instances.