There are more than 200 reported cases in Wake County. Statewide, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported more than 300 cases of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite.
The increase comes as Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week gets underway, bringing larger crowds to restaurants across the city.
Cyclospora has historically been linked to foods such as berries and leafy greens. At Irregardless, a longtime downtown Raleigh restaurant, staff members say they are taking additional steps to help ensure food is safe for customers.
Head Chef Adam Masters said the restaurant triple-washes all produce as soon as it arrives and is thoroughly cooking products that have been flagged, including blueberries, spinach and asparagus.
MORE: Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations: CDC, FDA
"As soon as we get it, we break everything out of the case. All produce comes out and we triple wash everything, and then it gets put away. And we're making sure that any of the products that are flagged, blueberries, spinach, asparagus, all that stuff, we're cooking thoroughly, too. So we're not serving any of that stuff raw at all," Masters said.
Masters said food safety measures begin before produce reaches the restaurant, with vendors conducting their own screenings to help prevent contaminated products from entering the supply chain.
"Safety is at the forefront of our mind. We're trying everything we can to keep everybody safe. And during a busy time, we just want to know that, you know, we're looking out, too," Masters said.
MORE: Here's where cyclosporiasis cases are spreading across the country