Tracking Cyclosporiasis: 30 more in Wake diagnosed with diarrhea-causing bug
Wake County, North Carolina, is experiencing an outbreak of Cyclosporiasis, with over 270 cases reported. Health officials are struggling to identify the specific source of the parasite, which causes severe gastrointestinal distress.
Why it matters
Public health outbreaks require timely identification of food sources to prevent further spread and protect community health.
More than 30 people got a Cyclosporiasis diagnosis on Thursday in Wake County, pushing the total number of people dealing with the diarrhea-causing bug to 270.
The county health department is aware of five people in Wake County hospitalized after an encounter with cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that caused unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, including "explosive diarrhea." It spreads when someone eats or drinks something contaminated with feces.
Across the state, more than 300 cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported in recent weeks, with the bulk of those coming in Wake County. The state also said 14 people have been hospitalized because of the stomach bug throughout North Carolina.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking more than 1,500 cases across five states, and on Friday linked those cases to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell.
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