Yaamini Jois / KERA
A local North Texas producer sells at the Dallas Farmers Market on a Saturday afternoon in July. Stalls at the market are under shade to protect vendors and buyers from the blinding Texas heat.
The health departments for the city of Houston and surrounding Harris County have reported a total of 34 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis — an intestinal illness linked to unwashed raw produce.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cyclosporiasis is caused by the ingestion of cyclospora, which is a parasite that can sometimes be found on raw, unwashed produce. It is usually not life-threatening but can cause “explosive” bowel movements, according to the CDC.
The CDC has reported at least 145 cases nationwide. No deaths have been reported.
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According to Harris County Public Health (HCPH), the 18 cases in the county represent the total number reported since the beginning of the year.
“This number is higher than usual for this time of year,” a HCPH spokesperson said in a statement. “In Texas, cases of cyclosporiasis typically increase seasonally from April to August, with symptoms usually appearing within two to 14 days after exposure.”
RELATED: CDC warns of intestinal illness linked to unwashed raw produce in Texas
The Houston Health Department reported 16 cases of cyclosporiasis in the city, according to a Wednesday news release from the city.
The Houston Health Department claims it has not seen an increase in cases this year.
“We have not identified an increased trend this year in the Houston-Harris County region compared to the past several years,” Dr. Theresa Tran, the director of the Houston Health Department, said in a statement. “We have not found a common source for our cases or any linkages between our local cases and the other cases around the county; our investigations will continue throughout the summer.”
According to the county health department, most people with cyclospora recover with “no significant health effect.”
Both local departments agree that thoroughly washing raw produce with water and washing hands with soap and water is key to preventing cyclosporiasis.
HCPH also recommends refrigerating “cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible” within two hours, and washing all cutting boards, utensils and surfaces.
Tran said confirmed cases in the city should be reported to the Houston Health Department.
“Residents and healthcare providers in Houston who have laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis infections can visit the Houston Health Department website to submit a foodborne illness complaint form, which helps with our investigations,” Tran said in her statement.