At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases and is aware of an additional 5,100 cases needing further analysis, noting that cyclosporiasis is often underreported and underdiagnosed. Health officials say the parasite can spread through contact with fecal or body fluids, but it can also be found in the environment on fresh produce.
Because routine chemical sanitizing is considered unlikely to kill the organism where it is often found, officials emphasized practical steps for Kansans: wash hands with soap and water after handling produce; rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking; scrub firm items with a clean produce brush; remove damaged or bruised areas; and refrigerate produce as soon as possible, ideally within two hours.
People who are elderly, very young, or immunosuppressed are more likely to experience severe illness and should take extra caution, officials said. Treatment typically involves the older antibiotic Bactrim.