Illinois health department reports "higher-than-average" number of cyclosporiasis cases

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting a "higher-than-average" number of cyclosporiasis cases in the state amid outbreaks in other states nationwide. 

As of Tuesday morning, the IDPH reported 141 cases of cyclosporiasis, including 59 acquired domestically and 62 reported after travel outside the U.S. At least 17 other states also have reported the outbreak.

Twenty cases are pending investigation in Illinois. 

"IDPH is seeing a higher-than-average number of reported cases of cyclosporiasis, consistent with what is being seen in several other states," officials said in a written statement. "At this point, no single source or cause of this increase has been identified, and there is no evidence of a large outbreak accounting for all or most of these cases."

Some grocers say they are taking precautions to help keep the parasite from spreading. 

Wild Onion Market and Coop general manager Ryan Whitney showed how water is used to wash produce before it is put in a very cold fridge. The process is called crisping.

With 13 years in the food business, he says it kills bacteria and eliminates parasites. 

"A lot of people were like, 'Yeah, instead of cold water, use scalding hot water.' It's counterintuitive, but it seems to work really well with them," he said.      

Cyclosporiasis can be contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with feces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms are frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. 

"Cyclospora the symptoms can continue and maybe even come and go for a couple of weeks," said Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora with St. Anthony's Hospital. 

He says if people get the parasite, stay hydrated and it can be treated with antibiotics. It's not spread person to person and no deaths have been reported.

"Being in lakes and being in places with water can certainly increase the risks for that as well," he said. 

IDPH recommends the following guidelines for safe food handling:

• Wash produce by running it under water before eating, cutting, or cooking
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush

An outbreak has been reported in Michigan. 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it has received more than 700 reports of cyclosporiasis since June 22, with 38 of those patients needing hospital treatment.  

Health officials also say to be careful with other produce such as bagged salad mixes, basil, and snow peas.

As for Whitney, he says they will continue with their two-hour crisping process and touch base with their local farmers and vendors.

"They would let us know if there had been any contaminations," he said.