Area Health Departments Monitoring Rise in Cyclosporiasis Cases

As cases of food borne viruses continue to spread across the country, area and state health departments continue to monitor the situation locally.

According to the information posted Monday by the Arkansas Department of Health, 252 cases have been reported statewide including 24 in Boone County and 11 in Carroll County. 

In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services reported 1,095 cases, the third most in the country. 

The Springfield Greene County Health Department reported to Ozarks First that 43 cases were reported in the Springfield Metro area. 

In the Lakes Region, the Stone County Health Department posted on their Facebook page that they had investigated 11 cases as of the end of July. 

The Taney County Health Department in a release posted on Monday stated that they are coordinating a response to increase cases in the region. The post from TCHD is below:

Taney County Health Department (TCHD) is prepared to handle foodborne illnesses year-round, and this summer’s rise in cyclosporiasis cases in the United States has prompted an active and coordinated response. The illness, spread by consuming contaminated food and water and affects the stomach and intestines, has been linked to several recent food recalls. As these recalls occur, the Environmental Health Team at TCHD responds quickly at the local level. Protecting the safety of food and water for Taney County residents is not only a priority, it’s a responsibility TCHD is continuously fulfilling.

“Limiting the spread of a foodborne illness is a team effort across Taney County Health Department” states Erica Logsdon, Environmental Health Manager at TCHD. “We are always ready to respond consistently and promptly to food safety concerns.”
TCHD is committed to ensuring recalled food products are not available for purchase in retail food establishments within Taney County. Once TCHD is notified of official recalls, the Environmental Health Team makes contact with all food establishments that may carry the recalled product to ensure they do not have it available for sale and have disposed of it in the proper manner.

\While cyclosporiasis is spread through contaminated foods, getting sick from it can be prevented through simple measures. These include avoiding food and water that may have been contaminated with stool and cooking food to proper temperatures to kill the parasite.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis:
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Frequent watery diarrhea
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Cramping, bloating, and/or increased gas
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Fatigue
If you think you might have cyclosporiasis, see your healthcare provider. Your local health department will contact you if you have cyclosporiasis to ask about any possible exposures in the 14 days before getting ill. This process helps minimize the spread of illness throughout the community.