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Health staff brief board on Cyclospora outbreak, urge careful produce washing
Summary
Board health staff reviewed a regional Cyclospora outbreak, shared CDC and state case counts, described symptoms and treatment, and recommended vigorous washing and a 1:3 vinegar rinse for berries; no confirmed cases in Middletown were reported.
Amanda McDonald, the board presenter, told members that a multi-state Cyclospora outbreak has produced hundreds of confirmed cases and several hundred hospitalizations nationwide and in Ohio and that local departments are monitoring the situation.
McDonald said that as of July 9 the CDC-listed outbreak included 843 confirmed cases nationally and 364 in Ohio, with 46 Ohio hospitalizations and no deaths reported in the state; she told the board that Butler County had four confirmed and two suspected cases under investigation, while Middletown had none confirmed.
The presenter described Cyclospora as a parasitic infection that typically causes watery, sometimes severe diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal cramping; she noted that treatment commonly used is Bactrim, which inhibits folate metabolism needed by the parasite. She emphasized handwashing and thorough produce cleaning: ‘‘Wash your produce. Scrub it. Put it in a colander and pat dry,’’ she said, and recommended that consumers not assume bagged salads are fully safe without additional rinsing.
During questions, medical director Paul Genewine and other clinicians discussed surveillance and reporting. Genewine explained that federal reporting priorities shifted (the CDC’s national tracking is limited by resource decisions) but that state and local surveillance continues. Board members asked about disinfectants and were advised that vigorous rinsing and, for delicate items such as berries, a vinegar-and-water soak (one part vinegar to three parts water, per guidance cited during the meeting) can help remove contaminants.
The board was also told that the CDC and state epidemiologists are actively investigating likely produce sources and that exact sources remain under investigation. Staff said they are distributing an information sheet to the public and will update communications when state or federal agencies publish new guidance.
The education segment concluded with the board thanking staff for the update; no formal action was taken.
