Shelby County’s confirmed Cyclospora count has climbed to 11 as local and state health officials work to determine how residents became infected. Six cases appear to have been contracted outside Shelby County, including four tied to international travel, while one remains under investigation.
The Shelby County Health Department said it is investigating the laboratory-confirmed cases with the Tennessee Department of Health. Officials have not announced a single local food or water source connecting the cases.
The Tennessee Department of Health says foodborne-disease investigations rely on reports from healthcare providers, laboratories and the public, with local health departments and state officials coordinating to identify possible patterns. That process can be slow with Cyclospora because symptoms may begin days after exposure and routine stool testing may not automatically look for the parasite.
What Cyclospora Can Do To The Body
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cyclospora is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or bloating, nausea, fatigue and a low-grade fever, usually appearing about two weeks or less after exposure.
Untreated infections can last for weeks or longer and may improve before returning. The parasite is generally acquired by consuming contaminated food or water, and direct person-to-person spread is considered unlikely.
National Lettuce Outbreak Has Not Been Linked To Shelby Cases
Federal investigators are separately tracking a nine-state Cyclospora outbreak associated with Taco Bell exposure and recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The Food and Drug Administration reported 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations as of July 24, with no deaths reported.
Tennessee is listed among the states where the recalled lettuce was distributed, but it was not among the nine states included in that federal case count at the time of the update. The distribution information alone does not establish that any Shelby County resident became ill from the recalled product.
Health Officials Urge Produce Precautions
As reported by FOX13 Memphis, local health officials are urging residents to wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water, wash their hands before preparing food and refrigerate cut produce promptly. Residents are also advised to check FDA food-recall notices before eating fresh produce and stay hydrated if illness develops.
People experiencing prolonged or severe diarrhea should contact a healthcare provider and mention the possibility of Cyclospora, especially if they recently traveled or ate fresh produce. The CDC’s clinical guidance says confirmed infections can be treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
