As cyclosporiasis cases rise, western NC shoppers take extra precautions with produce
North Carolina health officials are monitoring a rise in cyclosporiasis cases, an intestinal illness linked to contaminated produce. While the outbreak is not tied to a specific national lettuce recall, shoppers are taking extra precautions by washing vegetables thoroughly or choosing local farmers markets.
Why it matters
Public health concerns regarding foodborne illnesses impact consumer behavior and local agricultural economies.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released new information about cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite. According to NCDHHS, the rise in North Carolina cases is not associated with the outbreak in five other states involving iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Farms to some of the Taco Bell locations there. Instead, commonly reported foods connected to cyclosporiasis cases in North Carolina include lettuce, cilantro and parsley, according to an NCDHHS press release. According to an NCDHHS update on Friday, July 17, 307 cases of cyclosporiasis and 13 hospitalizations were reported in N.C. from May 1 to July 14. HEALTH OFFICIALS MONITOR CYCLOSPORIASIS AS CASES RISE ACROSS NATION: WHAT TO KNOW "I think people realize, with that being a nationwide outbreak to start with, that it was something that was being distributed nationwide.
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