The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) said today (Thursday), they continue to receive reports of confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection and interview those who are ill, but numbers are decreasing. Officials say the investigation will now focus primarily on determining the source of the contamination. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) is leading the Iowa investigation. IDPH and DIA will continue to update their federal partners as the Iowa epidemiologic investigation continues. Daily case counts will continue to be posted to the IDPH web site.

DPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “Through interviews with those who have been ill and by mapping the onset of illness (mid-June), we have a very good indication the source of contamination was most likely a vegetable that has probably already been consumed or discarded (because of the limited shelf life of fresh produce).”  She says at no time was an Iowa-grown fruit or vegetable suspected to be the cause of the outbreak and IDPH continues to encourage Iowans to include fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their daily diet.

As of today (July 18th), 102 cases of Cyclospora infections have been reported to IDPH; almost all have been identified through testing at the State Hygienic Lab (SHL), including:

• Linn County – 34 cases (the most in Iowa)
• Pottawattamie County – 8 cases (2 more than reported Wednesday)
• Dallas County – 5 cases
• Woodbury County – 4 cases
• Mills County – 2 cases
• Monona County – 1 case
• Montgomery County – 1 case

At least six people have been hospitalized. Many people report still being ill with diarrhea and some have had relapses. Specific treatment is available (but it is not typically used for more common diarrheal illnesses). Also, very specific laboratory testing (not commonly ordered) must be done to detect Cyclospora.

People become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, which causes a watery diarrhea that lasts an average of 57 days if untreated.