Fewer than 10 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness, in Catawba County (2024)

Fewer than 10 cases of cyclospora parasite illness were reported in Catawba County between Jan. 1 and Aug. 9, according to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. There has been an increases in cases across the state this year.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

A cyclosporiasis fact sheet from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, body aches and low-grade fever along with other flu-like symptoms. The fact sheet said those infected may also be asymptomatic.

Catawba County Public Health Community Engagement Manager Emily Killian said: “For the past 10 years, Catawba County’s number of laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclospora infection has always been under 10 cases per year, and 2024 so far is still in line with that trend.”

Burke and Caldwell counties also had fewer than 10 each, according to the data.

Across the state, there have been over 200 cases in 28 counties between Jan. 1 and Aug. 9, according to the data, with the highest number being in Wake County.

Wake County has 123 reported cases, according to the data. New Hanover County has 17, Brunswick and Mecklenburg counties both reported 14 and Guilford County reported 13. All other counties have had fewer than 10 cases, according to the data.

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Press Assistant Summer Tonizzo said it is important to note that not all cases this year are linked to a specific outbreak, and that the data represents all data available to the state.

“Twenty-two cases have been linked to an outbreak in Wake County, and we continue to work alongside Wake County Health Department on its investigation,” Tonizzo said. “Additional investigations are ongoing, and we have not identified any other outbreaks in North Carolina at this time.”

Tonizzo said similar clusters of cyclosporiasis associated with herbs and vegetables have been reported in other states this summer. The increase of cases is not limited to North Carolina, Tonizzo said.

“The number of cases tends to be higher in the summer months, June through August, although the number of cases is higher this year than in recent years. We are working with local and federal partners to determine what the increase in cases may be due to,” Tonizzo said.

Killian, with Catawba County Public Health, said those who suspect they have contracted a foodborne disease should speak with their healthcare provider about laboratory testing if needed.

Tonizzo said one of the roles of public health is protecting the public by investigating foodborne illnesses.

“Public health staff spend significant time on outreach to complete interviews with cases, analyzing data to identify shared food exposures that could be linked to infections, and working with partners to see how pieces of the investigation fit together,” Tonizzo said.

Investigations in North Carolina include local, state and federal partners often happening at the same time, Tonizzo said, until a source is verified and traceback completed.

“While a common food may have come from a particular brand sold at a store or from eating at a certain restaurant, it is often a specific ingredient in a dish that is the contaminant and not who sold or prepared the food,” Tonizzo said.

Cyclospora is associated with uncooked fresh herbs and produce, Tonizzo said, which makes prevention more challenging.

“If present, Cyclospora can survive the trip from the field, where produce is grown, to the plate. This most often happens if there is nothing to stop it like cooking or cleaning,” Tonizzo said. She added that, for this reason, it is important to clean fresh produce as instructed by the FDA.

Tonizzo shared the following tips from the FDA about cleaning and handling fresh produce:

Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.

If damage or bruising occurs before eating or handling, cut away the damaged or bruised areas.

Rinse produce before you peel it so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable.

Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There’s no need to use soap or a produce wash.

Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.

Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.

Remove the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.