El Paso public health officials are investigating seven reported cases of cyclosporiasis.
The seven cases have not shown evidence linking the cases to a single event, location or food source, the El Paso Department of Public Health said in a Monday, July 20 news release.
Five of the seven people reported recently traveling to Mexico during the parasite’s incubation period, including three who visited Cancún. The other two people did not report any recent travel.
Public health officials are continuing to investigate each case to determine whether any additional connections exist.
“At this time, we have not identified a common source linking these cases, and there is no indication of asingle exposure affecting the community,” City-County Local Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said. “We encourage residents to practice good food safety, wash fresh produce thoroughly, and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms persist.”
Since May 1, the Centers for Disease Control has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.
Symptoms of Cyclospora
Symptoms may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue and a low-grade fever.
You can reduce your risk of illness by following these steps, shared by public health officials:
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso investigates 7 cyclosporiasis cases, 5 linked to travel
Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
