Health officials on Tuesday said Wisconsin has reported 29 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness, since the beginning of June, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Doctors are alerted to be on the lookout for the disease.
Cyclosporiasis, most often reported in people who have traveled outside of the country, sees U.S. summer upticks associated with produce imported from countries known to have the parasite Cyclospora. Outbreaks in recent years have been associated with raw, fresh produce such as salads and leafy greens, cilantro, berries, basil, and vegetable trays.
The state Department of Health Services said it is not known whether the recent Wisconsin cases are from a common, widely-distributed food item or from multiple sources. The parasite is unlikely to be passed directly from one person to another, and the illness can be treated with antibiotics.
Consumers are advised to wash fruits and vegetables under running water before use, scrub firm produce with a brush, and wash cutting boards and counters with soap and hot water.
