LAS
VEGAS
–
The
Southern
Nevada
Health
District
is
reporting
a
case
of
cyclosporiasis
in
a
Clark
County
resident
who
acquired
the
disease
while
traveling
outside
of
Nevada.
The
individual
traveled
to
two
states
associated
with
the
ongoing
multistate
outbreak
during
the
likely
exposure
period
before
returning
to
Clark
County.
The
investigation
is
ongoing
to
determine
whether
the
case
is
linked
to
the
outbreak.
At
this
time,
there
is
no
evidence
that
the
exposure
occurred
in
Clark
County
or
elsewhere
in
Nevada.

Five
cases
of
cyclosporiasis
have
been
reported
in
Clark
County
this
year,
which
is
consistent
with
the
sporadic
number
of
cases
typically
reported
locally
each
year
There
is
no
indication
of
increased
local
transmission.

“While
this
individual
likely
became
infected
while
traveling
outside
Nevada,
the
Southern
Nevada
Health
District
is
actively
monitoring
the
national
outbreak
and
remains
prepared
to
respond
should
additional
cases
be
identified,”
said
Dr.
Cassius
Lockett,
District
Health
Officer
for
the
Health
District.
“Foodborne
illness
outbreaks
can
occur
anywhere
in
the
food
supply
chain,
which
is
why
practicing
safe
food
handling
every
day
is
important.
We
encourage
residents
to
wash
fresh
produce
thoroughly,
follow
safe
food
preparation
practices,
and
contact
a
health
care
provider
if
they
develop
persistent,
watery
diarrhea
after
travel
or
consuming
fresh
produce.”

According
to
the
Centers
for
Disease
Control
and
Prevention,
more
than
1,644
people
in
Indiana,
Kentucky,
Michigan,
Ohio
and
West
Virginia
have
been
infected
in
the
outbreak.
Ninety-four
people
have
been
hospitalized,
and
no
deaths
have
been
reported.

The
investigation
is
ongoing,
and
the
source
of
the
outbreak
has
not
been
definitively
confirmed.
The
U.S.
Food
and
Drug
Administration’s
traceback
investigation
identified
a
supplier
of
shredded
iceberg
lettuce
used
at
Taco
Bell
locations
where
people
who
became
ill
reported
eating
before
their
symptoms
began.
Taylor
Farms
has
voluntarily
recalled
certain
iceberg
lettuce
products
sourced
from
Mexico.
Although
the
FDA
initially
reported
a
positive
laboratory
finding
in
one
lettuce
sample,
the
agency
subsequently
determined
that
result
was
a
false
positive,
and
there
are
currently
no
confirmed
product
samples
for

Cyclospora.
Shredded
iceberg
lettuce
from
this
source
was
not
reported
to
have
been
distributed
in
Nevada.

Cyclosporiasis
is
an
intestinal
illness
caused
by
the
microscopic
parasite

Cyclospora
cayetanensis.
People
become
infected
by
consuming
contaminated
food
or
water,
most
commonly
fresh
produce.
The
illness
is
not
typically
spread
directly
from
person
to
person
because
the
parasite
requires
time
in
the
environment
before
it
becomes
infectious.

The
most
common
symptom
is
watery
diarrhea.
Other
symptoms
may
include
loss
of
appetite,
weight
loss,
stomach
cramps,
bloating,
increased
gas,
nausea,
fatigue
and,
less
commonly,
vomiting
or
a
low-grade
fever.

Some
people
recover
without
treatment,
but
symptoms
can
last
several
weeks
or
longer
and
may
go
away
and
then
return.
Cyclosporiasis
can
be
treated
with
antibiotics,
which
can
reduce
the
severity
and
duration
of
the
illness.
Dehydration
is
a
primary
concern,
particularly
for
young
children,
older
adults
and
people
with
weakened
immune
systems.

People
who
have
experienced
watery
diarrhea
for
more
than
a
few
days
should
contact
a
health
care
provider
and
ask
whether
testing
for
Cyclospora
is
appropriate.
Anyone
experiencing
signs
of
severe
dehydration,
including
dizziness,
weakness
or
decreased
urination,
should
seek
medical
care
promptly.

Cooking
produce
thoroughly
is
the
most
effective
way
to
reduce
the
risk
of
Cyclospora
infection.
When
eating
fresh
produce,
consumers
should:

• Wash
  their
  hands
  with
  soap
  and
  water
  before
  and
  after
  handling
  produce.
• Rinse
  fruits
  and
  vegetables
  thoroughly
  under
  running
  water
  before
  eating,
  cutting
  or
  cooking
  them.
• Scrub
  firm
  produce
  with
  a
  clean
  produce
  brush.
• Remove
  and
  discard
  damaged
  areas
  and
  the
  outer
  leaves
  of
  leafy
  vegetables.
• Peel
  produce
  when
  appropriate
  after
  washing
  it.
• Refrigerate
  cut,
  peeled
  or
  cooked
  produce
  as
  soon
  as
  possible.

Washing
produce
can
reduce
the
risk
of
illness
but
may
not
eliminate
Cyclospora.
People
who
are
immunocompromised
or
especially
concerned
about
infection
may
consider
choosing
thoroughly
cooked
produce
while
the
outbreak
remains
under
investigation.
Consumers
should
also
monitor
public
health
advisories
and
avoid
any
foods
specifically
identified
as
part
of
the
outbreak.

For
more
information
about
cyclosporiasis,
visit

CDC’s
cyclosporiasis
website