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Officials: North Carolina cyclosporiasis cases rising; Caldwell County reports no outbreak-linked cases
Summary
Public health staff summarized cyclosporiasis risks and prevention, citing state counts and hospitalizations; Caldwell County has no outbreak-related cases and two travel-associated cases were reported locally.
Bree Flanagan briefed the board on cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora. She described typical exposure routes (contaminated water or fresh produce), symptoms (watery diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, nausea), and prevention steps (wash produce, clean food-preparation surfaces, cook produce to 158F when appropriate). She noted clinicians commonly prescribe Bactrim for treatment when antibiotics are needed.
Flanagan cited state figures from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: the transcript records "a total of 8 67 cases" statewide, 149 newly reported cases, 33 hospitalizations since May and nine newly reported hospitalizations. She said Caldwell County has not had outbreak-related cases; the county recorded two travel-related cases associated with travel to Mexico.
"In Caldwell County, thankfully, we have not had cases related to this outbreak," Flanagan said. She urged residents to wash produce and seek medical care for severe or persistent symptoms.
