HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The number of cases of cyclosporiasis in West Virginia continues to grow.
West Virginia is among several states which has seen a sharp uptick in cases of the intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite.
The state Department of Health, which issued a health advisory last week, said that as of July 10, there were 69 cases in West Virginia. New numbers will be released at 10 a.m. Friday.
In Cabell County, as of Thursday, there were 33 cases reported. Unfortunately, Cabell Huntington Health Department Director of Epidemiology Liz Chambers (RN) said they haven’t been able to pinpoint an exact source for the outbreak.
“The incubation period on it is about two weeks, so the people we are calling, sometimes we are trying to get a food history from them for a month ago. If you think about it, how challenging that could be. It’s hard to remember what you had last week, imagine if somebody is calling and asking where you ate and what you ate from a month ago,” Chambers told MetroNews Thursday.
The state Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control are working on trying to find a common link to the infections. Symptoms include nausea, lack of appetite, explosive watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating and fatigue. Since those are similar to most G-I ailments, Chambers admitted it’s hard to diagnose. However, she said of you have those symptoms for more than a couple of days you should check with a doctor.
“They can run a test, they can figure out what the source is and if you do have cyclosporiasis they can treat it with antibiotics,” she said.
The number of cases has prompted all public health officials to work on education and spreading the word about the ailment so people know as much as they can with regard to symptoms, treatment, and getting tested. Avoiding the parasite is another matter. Generally, it’s contracted through produce which has been contaminated. Chambers said washing produce is recommended, but added there are no guarantees.
“If you think about the journey produce takes before it makes it to your kitchen, it comes in contact with dirt, germs, and traces of pesticide, so of course yes wash it. Now, cyclosporia is notoriously sticky, so washing alone will not eliminate the risk. However we continue to recommend that because it’s important before you eat fresh produce to make sure it’s as clean as you can get it,” she said.