Texas Health Officials Investigating Rash of Cyclosporiasis Cases
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) yesterday reported that a recent surge in reports of illnesses due to the parasite Cyclospora has prompted the agency to launch an investigation into the infections in hopes of determining a common source. DSHS officials said they have received reports of 77 cyclosporiasis cases from around Texas this year, including 69 in the last month alone.
In a news release issued yesterday, DSHS said it is collaborating with local health departments to gather information and identify the cause of the outbreak. Officials said that last year, Texas had 351 cases of cyclosporiasis, more than any other state. In most previous years, however, the number of cases reported in Texas was in the single or low double digits.