Texas has reported more than 100 additional cyclosporiasis cases in the past week, according to state health authorities, for a total count of 315 reported cases so far this year. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services provided the updated case count on Tuesday afternoon.
Cyclosporiasis Cases on the Rise
Among the Texas cases, there have been 52 hospitalizations this year. The statewide count jumped from last week, when there were 188 reported cases. Cyclosporiasis is the illness caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can be found on contaminated produce.
Local and federal health authorities encourage people to practice safe food handling practices, including washing hands and surfaces that come into contact with food, as well as thorough rinsing of produce. Cyclospora may survive cleaning, and the surest way to kill the parasite is to cook produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
