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

Cyclosporiasis
is
an
intestinal
illness
caused
by
the
microscopic
parasite

Cyclospora
cayetanensis.
Six
cases
of
cyclosporiasis
have
been
reported
in
Clark
County
this
year.
Sporadic
cases
are
reported
locally
each
year,
and
there
is
no
indication
of
increased
local
transmission.

“This
additional
case
underscores
the
importance
of
remaining
aware
of
foodborne
illness
risks,
particularly
when
an
outbreak
is
affecting
multiple
states,”
said
Dr.
Cassius
Lockett,
District
Health
Officer
for
the
Health
District.
“Residents
should
monitor
current
recall
information
and
contact
a
health
care
provider
if
they
develop
persistent
watery
diarrhea,
especially
after
traveling
or
eating
food
associated
with
the
outbreak.”

The
Centers
for
Disease
Control
and
Prevention
and
the
U.S.
Food
and
Drug
Administration
are
investigating
a
multistate
outbreak
linked
to
shredded
iceberg
lettuce
served
at
certain
Taco
Bell
locations
in
Indiana,
Kentucky,
Michigan,
Ohio
and
West
Virginia.
As
of
July
20,
the

CDC
reported
4,173
laboratory-confirmed
cases
and
308
hospitalizations
associated
with
the
outbreak
across
41
states.
States
may
report
different
totals
because
some
include
probable
cases
that
are
not
reflected
in
the
CDC
count.

“Cyclospora
spreads
through
contaminated
food
or
water
after
spending
over
a
week
in
warm
moist
environmental
conditions
to
become
infectious.
Because
person-to-person
spread
is
unlikely,
prevention
focuses
on
avoiding
contaminated
fresh
produce,
making
national
outbreaks
a
sign
of
food
supply
contamination,”
said
Dr.
Lockett.

The
FDA’s
traceback
investigation
identified
Taylor
Farms
as
the
supplier
of
shredded
iceberg
lettuce
served
at
locations
where
people
who
became
ill
reported
eating.
Taylor
Farms
has
recalled
iceberg
lettuce
sourced
from
Mexico,
including
certain
products
sold
in
retail
stores
and
distributed
to
restaurants
and
other
food
service
customers.

Do
not
eat
lettuce
included
in
the
recall.
When
purchasing
iceberg
lettuce
that
is
not
recalled,
choose
whole
heads
rather
than
prewashed,
bagged
lettuce.
For
whole
heads
of
lettuce,
discard
the
outer
two
or
three
layers,
separate
the
remaining
leaves
and
rinse
them
thoroughly
under
running
water.
Washing
produce
can
reduce,
but
does
not
eliminate,
the
risk
of

Cyclospora
contamination.

Cooking
produce
thoroughly
is
the
most
effective
way
to
reduce
the
risk
of
infection.
Consumers
should
also:

• 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.
• Peel
  produce
  when
  appropriate
  after
  washing
  it.
• Refrigerate
  cut,
  peeled
  or
  cooked
  produce
  as
  soon
  as
  possible.
• Clean
  and
  sanitize
  surfaces
  or
  containers
  that
  have
  come
  into
  contact
  with
  recalled
  lettuce.

The
most
common
symptom
of
cyclosporiasis
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.

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