Johnson County leads cyclosporiasis cases as parasitic illness explodes across Kansas - KCUR

What the report says

KCUR reported that Kansas has seen a sharp rise in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, with known cases increasing from 55 last week to 289 in the latest state figures released Wednesday. Johnson County accounts for the largest share, with 95 cases, while Wyandotte County has recorded 11, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment numbers cited by the station.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson of the University of Kansas Health System told KCUR the official count may not capture all infections, because some people may have no symptoms or only brief illness. The disease can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems, and diagnosis requires a stool sample. KCUR noted that cyclosporiasis is treatable with Bactrim, a commonly used antibiotic.

The report said cyclospora generally does not spread directly from one person to another. Hawkinson said food is usually the source, making it important for investigators to identify and stop contamination. Fresh produce can carry the parasite, and investigators suspect iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell locations by Taylor Farms may be part of the outbreak, according to KCUR.

The Kansas surge comes amid a much larger national increase. KCUR reported that cyclosporiasis typically totals about 500 cases annually across the United States, but health officials have documented more than 4,000 cases so far this year, with Michigan particularly affected. Missouri has also reported 216 cases through last weekend, according to its state health department figures cited in the report.