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- Report a food-borne illness
- How to get an immunization record
- File a smoking complaint
- How do I report Mold
- How do I report sanitation or pest issues
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- Apply for WIC
Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora infection)
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Cyclospora is not spread person to person. In the United States, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, identified since the mid-1990s, have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce; no commercially frozen or canned produce has been implicated.
2013 Cyclosporiasis Outbreak On July 2nd and 3rd, Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) was notified of several laboratory confirmed cases of Cyclospora in Douglas County residents. Since then, DCHD has been collaborating with public health officials from multiple states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate this outbreak. If you think you may have Cyclospora infection, please contact your health care provider. However, if illness onset is after July 1, the illness is more likely caused by another pathogen. For healthcare provider information, click here.
Highlights of the Epidemiologic Investigation
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Cyclospora General Information
What is Cyclospora?Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite composed of one cell, too small to be seen without a microscope. This parasite causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.
How is Cyclospora spread?
Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting something - such as food or water - that was contaminated with feces (stool). Cyclospora needs time (days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious for another person. Therefore, it is unlikely that Cyclospora is passed directly from one person to another.
Who is at risk for Cyclospora infection?
People living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world may be at increased risk for infection because cyclosporiasis is endemic (found) in some countries in these zones. In the United States, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce.
What are the symptoms of Cyclospora infection?
The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about 1 week. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms.
How long can the symptoms last?
If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse). It’s common to feel very tired.
What should I do if I think I might be infected with Cyclospora?
See your health care provider.
How is Cyclospora infection diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask you to submit stool specimens to see if you are infected. You might be asked to submit more than one specimen from different days. Identification of this parasite in stool requires special laboratory tests that are not routinely done. Therefore, if indicated, your health care provider should specifically request testing for Cyclospora. In addition, your health care provider might have your stool checked for other organisms that can cause similar symptoms.
How is Cyclospora infection treated?
The recommended treatment is a combination of two antibiotics, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known as Bactrim*, Septra*, or Cotrim*. People who have diarrhea should also rest and drink plenty of fluids.
I am allergic to sulfa drugs; is there another drug I can take?
No highly effective alternative drugs have been identified yet for people with Cyclospora infection who are unable to take sulfa drugs. See your health care provider to discuss potential options.
How is Cyclospora infection prevented?
Avoiding food or water that might have been contaminated with stool may help prevent Cyclospora infection. People who have previously been infected with Cyclospora can become infected again.
Health Care Provider Information:
- Douglas County Health Care Provider Update - July 22, 2013
- Douglas County Health Care Provider Advisory - July 8, 2013
- Nebraska DHHS Cyclospora Notice - July 3, 2013
Additional Resources: