The state of North Carolina is grappling with a surge of cyclospora parasite illnesses, impacting more than 200 residents across 28 counties. The outbreak, which has been reported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), has left health officials scrambling to identify the source of the contamination.
Wake County has been the hardest hit, with 125 cases reported since January 1. Other affected counties include New Hanover with 17 cases, Brunswick and Mecklenburg each with 14 cases, and Guilford with 13 cases.
Dr. Carl Williams, a Public Health Veterinarian with NCDHHS, is at the forefront of the investigation. “The local health department staff try and interview every one of those cases to determine what is their food history, what might be their likely source of exposure,” he explained.
Dr. Williams, who specializes in food-borne diseases, indicated that the source of the outbreak could either be a single widely-distributed source or multiple sources. “Further analyzing stool samples from patients could also reveal details,” he said. However, he noted that such advanced diagnostic testing is not currently mandated in North Carolina, and most specimens are not retained long enough for thorough analysis.
Efforts to trace the source of the contamination include utilizing grocery store membership cards and credit card receipts. The Wake County Health Department has mandated that all cyclosporiasis cases be reported by physicians within 24 hours of a positive test, and investigations must be completed within 30 days from the date of initial reporting.
Ben Chapman, an NC State Food Safety Specialist, emphasized the complexities of investigating cyclospora outbreaks. “Investigating an outbreak of something like cyclospora is very similar to investigating other food-borne pathogens where you’re really looking for: What are the common elements that these individuals have?” he said.
However, cyclospora differs from pathogens like salmonella and listeria in significant ways. “Cyclospora can impact anybody. It’s not one of the pathogens that we look at and say ‘Hey, it’s most likely young or the elderly or pregnant individual or someone that’s immune compromised,’ which is really what we focus on when it comes to listeria,” Chapman added.
Cyclospora has a longer incubation period, taking anywhere from a few days to weeks to manifest symptoms, unlike pathogens like salmonella, which typically show symptoms within 72 hours.
As the investigation continues, health officials are urging the public to be vigilant about their food consumption and to report any symptoms of illness to healthcare providers promptly. While the exact source remains elusive, the collective efforts of health departments, food safety specialists, and public health officials aim to contain the outbreak and prevent further cases.
For now, the residents of North Carolina remain on alert, hoping for a swift resolution to this concerning health issue.
