The state of Texas has reported more than 60 additional cases of cyclosporiasis in the past week, according to numbers from state health authorities. In the newly updated numbers, the region including Dallas and Fort Worth has also added 25 cases in the past two weeks
So far this year, the state has confirmed a total of 188 cases of cyclosporiasis, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, Douglas Loveday, said in a Tuesday afternoon email. The state has also identified an additional 10 probable cases
That number is up from 121 confirmed cases as of July 27. Cyclospora — the parasite that causes the illness cyclosporiasis — makes an appearance in Texas and across the country every year, with most illnesses popping up between May and August
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This year, however, the diarrhea-inducing parasite has made national headlines due to a large outbreak that’s affected a number of states. While Texas’ overall number of cases has gone up, it’s still low compared to some of the states that are part of the outbreak.
For example, Michigan health authorities have now reported more than 11,500 cases in that state and, as of this week, two deaths
Loveday said in a Tuesday email that there have been 37 cyclosporiasis-associated hospitalizations in Texas so far this year. Texas has not seen any related deaths
Also on Tuesday, Loveday shared updated case counts for each of the eight public health regions in Texas. These case counts include both the confirmed cases and the 10 probable cases
Region 2/3, which includes both Dallas and Fort Worth, has now reported 31 cases. That’s up from just six cases reported by the state two weeks beforehand
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But the two regions with the most cases remained the same in the latest update. Region 11, which includes the southernmost part of Texas, now has a total of 68 cases. Region 6/5S, which includes the city of Houston, has a total of 43 cases
Those two regions alone still make up over half of the state’s overall case count
There are a few weeks left in the usual cyclospora season, which typically runs to the end of August. While Texans are not at a particularly heightened risk from the parasite this year compared to previous years, there are things that residents can do to lower their risk further
Public health authorities recommend, as always, not eating food that has been recalled as well as regular washing of hands and surfaces that come into contact with food. Thorough rinsing of produce can also help, although the surest way to kill the parasite is by cooking produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit
