This week,The Dallas Morning News sat down with Dr. Philip Huang, the Dallas County health director, to talk all things cyclospora
Cyclospora is a diarrhea-causing parasite that people can pick up from contaminated food or water. In the U.S., cases typically originate from contaminated produce. The current outbreak centered in the Midwest has been connected to a particular supplier of lettuce
Here are some fast facts about cyclospora from a conversation with Huang, who has decades of experience working in a variety of public health roles
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Cyclospora cases happen every year
Huang worked on the first known outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. while with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That was in 1990 in the Chicago area
Now, the U.S. sees cyclospora cases every year. Cases typically pop up from May through August, Huang said. Dallas County had 21 confirmed cases last year, Huang said, and 18 the year before that
With several weeks still left in the cyclospora season, Huang said, Dallas County so far has 18 confirmed cases and an additional 16 possible cases. That’s more than in previous years, but still not an alarming number
Even Texas’ statewide count — 98 confirmed cases as of July 20 — still pales in comparison to the thousands of cases in Michigan and Ohio
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You can’t see cyclospora, but you can still protect yourself
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite. That means you can’t see it on produce and, Huang said, there’s no other way to just look at a piece of produce and tell if it’s contaminated with cyclospora
But there are still ways to protect yourself if you’re worried about coming into contact with the parasite. The best protection is to cook produce to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Washing produce thoroughly and other general hand and surface washing is helpful, Huang said. But washing alone cannot guarantee the removal of cyclospora
In addition, produce that can be peeled — such as bananas and oranges — or that has a rind — such as melon — is typically safer.
Just be sure, Huang said, that you wash any outer part of the produce before cutting into it. That will help ensure the knife doesn’t carry anything from the peel or rind into the edible fruit itself
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Cyclosporiasis can last months if it’s not treated
Cyclosporiasis, with its diarrhea-inducing side effects, can be treated with a course of antibiotics. People may also recover without treatment but, Huang warned, symptoms can last weeks or months if the illness is not treated
Untreated patients also might experience what feels like a recurrence of the illness: a waning of their symptoms, followed by a resurgence
If you have cyclosporiasis symptoms — most notably, watery diarrhea, particularly if it lasts for more than a couple days — you should see your medical provider. A stool test can determine if you have the parasite or not
How long can the parasite live in your body?
Once symptoms fully resolve, whether with treatment or not, cyclospora no longer lives in a person’s body, Huang said
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That means that those who have had and recovered from cyclosporiasis do not have the parasite inside them anymore
Texans don’t need to be overly worried about the parasite
Some of the cyclospora outbreaks seen in other states are notable and concerning, Huang said
The state of Michigan reported more than 7,600 cases by July 23, and Ohio had reported more than 2,000
But in Texas, the case count is so far not drastically higher than it’s been in prior years. Because of that, Huang doesn’t see a reason for Texans to be overly concerned.
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Texans should follow safe food handling practices and should avoid eating recalled foods. Besides that, the Texas cyclospora season doesn’t appear to pose any more danger to residents than it has in years past
For more of Dr. Huang’s perspective on cyclospora, watch The Dallas Morning News’ video interview at this link
