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Harris County confirms four cases of intestinal bug Cyclospora
By Carol Christian | August 7, 2013 | Updated: August 7, 2013 1:49pm
Texas leads the nation in the number of reported cases of Cyclospora infection, an intestinal illness usually accompanied by diarrhea.
Four cases have been confirmed in Harris County, according to Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services.
Caused by a microscopic parasite, Cyclospora infects the small intestine and typically causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps and pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some people may experience vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms, while others infected with Cyclospora have no symptoms, the CDC said.
According to a map on the CDC website, Texas had 157 cases reported through Aug. 6, including some cases in Harris County.
It's unclear whether the Texas cases are related to the outbreak in other states, most notably Iowa and Nebraska, the CDC said.
The Texas Department of State Health Services states on its website that a total of 181 cases of Cyclospora infection have been reported in July and August in Texas.
Health officials in Harris County said they didn't know the source of the local cases.
Most cases are in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, but affected counties include Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Walker and Victoria, the website said.
According to the CDC, Cyclospora cases in Iowa and Nebraska have been linked to a salad mix.
Past outbreaks have been associated with eating various types of fresh produce, the CDC said. Thorough washing of fresh produce is recommended as a general precaution.
Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting something, such as food or water, that was contaminated with feces, the CDC said. It is unlikely that Cyclospora is passed directly from one person to another.
The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about one week, the CDC said.