Explosive diarrhea parasite outbreak in Tarrant? What public health director says
There is not a cyclospora outbreak in Tarrant County, according to a social media update the county’s Public Health Director Brian Byrd posted Wednesday at noon.
The foodborne parasite cyclospora causes an explosive diarrhea illness called cyclosporiasis. When water or food with feces on it, such as fresh produce, is ingested, symptoms last roughly a week or up to a month.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an outbreak of the illness in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.
As of last week, fewer than five cases had been reported in Tarrant County. Byrd said in his post that the case counts are comparable to where they were at this time last year.
“So no outbreak here . . . for now,” Byrd said. “It is much more likely that you would contract Norovirus — a common stomach bug that will make you miserable for a few days.”
Byrd suggested taking preventative measures by avoiding previous outbreak culprits like bagged salad, onion, snow peas and basil. Cooking produce to 145 degrees will kill the parasite.
Cyclospora infections are not considered deadly and do not often cause hospitalizations. Other symptoms include cramping, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite. The illness does not spread person-to-person.