Douglas County officials: 'Rapid' Cyclospora surge reported, Taco Bell emerges as top exposure - KETV

What the report says

KETV reports that the Douglas County Health Department in Nebraska is investigating a fast-moving increase in Cyclospora infections, with 27 total cases identified among county residents as of Monday. Officials said 12 of those were unconfirmed cases reported over the previous four days, and Deputy Health Director Dr. Justin Frederick said the department received 10 new cases on Monday alone.

According to the health department, local epidemiologists have found that eating at Taco Bell was the most commonly reported exposure among people interviewed so far. Nearly two-thirds of those interviewed said they had eaten at the restaurant chain in the two weeks before becoming ill. Officials stressed that this does not establish Taco Bell as the source, and that identifying a shared exposure is only one stage of an ongoing public health investigation.

Douglas County is working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the FDA to determine whether the local cases are connected to a wider multistate Cyclospora outbreak. KETV cited CDC data showing nearly 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases nationally since May 1, with at least 180 hospitalizations reported by states. Nebraska and Iowa are among the states being tracked.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness, cyclosporiasis. Public health officials say it is usually acquired through contaminated food or water rather than direct person-to-person spread, and past outbreaks have been tied to fresh produce. Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, cramping and bloating lasting for weeks. Douglas County advised residents with prolonged diarrhea or related symptoms to contact a health care provider.