LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Videos circulating online about a parasitic illness called cyclosporiasis prompted a visit to the Lubbock Health Department, where officials said there is no reason to panic — but there are things residents should know.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite found in contaminated water used to irrigate or wash fresh produce. Since May 1, 145 cases have been reported nationwide, with the main outbreak concentrated in the Michigan and New York areas.
Texas has reported at least 11 cases statewide, but Lubbock has not been among them.
“There’s been no cases in Lubbock, and we haven’t had a case in Lubbock since 2004,” Katherine Wells, director of the Lubbock Health Department, said. “There are a handful of cases in Texas.”
Wells said the total case count is difficult to pin down because many people endure the illness without seeking treatment.
The illness can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, and significant discomfort — and symptoms can last for weeks.
“It sounds horrible, and it is bad diarrhea, stomach cramps, being very uncomfortable, and it might last for a couple of weeks,” Wells said.
An antibiotic can resolve the illness in a day or two, but a confirmed test is required first. Wells noted that cyclospora is not always included on a standard diagnostic panel.
“Especially if you have this unexplained diarrhea, ask your doctor to do that sample,” Wells said. “Cyclospora isn’t always on the regular panel that they order, so bringing that up with your doctor might help get that test sooner — and medicine sooner.”
In past outbreaks, lettuce, raspberries, snow peas, green onions, cilantro, and basil have all been linked to the illness. Wells said that range of produce makes identifying the exact source difficult.
“Like basil — it might be part of a salad dressing, so you might not even realize you ate it,” she said.
Symptoms may not appear until a week after exposure, further complicating efforts to trace the source. Washing produce, while generally recommended, may not be sufficient to remove the parasite.
“If you think about lettuce or raspberries where there are little crevices, you’re not going to be able to clean it that well,” Wells said.
Wells said cyclosporiasis is not a new illness. It is seasonal and typically appears in June and July. She said residents who return from travel with persistent diarrhea should ask their doctor about testing for cyclospora.
The CDC says the greatest risk associated with the illness is dehydration, particularly for children and older adults, where it could become a medical emergency.
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