Cyclosporiasis cases surge in NC are not linked to Taco Bell lettuce outbreak, DHHS says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said it is working to find a cause for the cyclosporiasis cases that have sickened people statewide as reports of the illness continue to increase.

Since May 1, Wake County has reported more than 300 confirmed cyclospora cases, with 13 people hospitalized.

The bulk of the cyclospora cases have been recorded in Wake County.

On Friday, the health agency said the increase of the intestinal illness "does not appear to be associated with the outbreak in other states involving Taco Bell, but commonly reported foods linked to cases in North Carolina include parsley, cilantro, and lettuce. While this type of information can suggest which types of produce are more likely to be contaminated, it does not prove with certainty that any of these were the source of infection."

NCDHHS said it is collaborating with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) to identify potential sources of cyclospora stemming from specific ingredients used frequently at homes and in restaurants.

"There is a surge this year here in Wake County," Public Health Deputy Director Jennifer Brown told ABC11 on Tuesday. "We are doing our best to monitor that, inform the public, and work closely with our partners to share messages of prevention risk reduction, and then just to identify any links or common foods that need to be addressed."

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