Health officials investigate multiple cases of cyclosporiasis in Cuyahoga County

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Officials with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health said they are investigating multiple cases of cyclosporiasis within the county.

As of Thursday morning, Kevin Brennan, MPH, Communications Officer for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, said there are a total of 205 reported cases.

Brennan added this does not include the city of Cleveland, which is monitored by the Cleveland Department of Public Health.

“Case counts have risen considerably over the past two weeks as state and federal authorities continue to search for a source of the illness,” said Brennan.

• RELATED STORIES:
• West Side Market vendors take precautions as Cyclospora parasite outbreak spreads nationally
• Ohio Department of Health warns of spreading ‘explosive’ diarrhea illness

The risk of getting Cyclosporiasis stems entirely from contaminated food or water handling.

Symptoms usually appear two days to two weeks after eating contaminated produce.

Health officials said the following steps can reduce the risk of infection:

• Wash hands with soap and water before and after preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons, with a clean produce brush.
• Eat or refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables promptly.

Message from the Cleveland Clinic:

If you have diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, fatigue or loss of appetite after eating fresh produce, Cleveland Clinic recommends you start with an Express Care Virtual Visit.

You can also contact your primary care provider or visit one of our Express Care or Urgent Care locations. A provider can evaluate your symptoms, order stool testing and prescribe treatment, if needed.

We’ve expanded cyclospora testing during the outbreak, with many results available within 24-48 hours to help providers diagnose and treat patients sooner.