The Mobile County Health Department has confirmed a case of cyclosporiasis in the county that may be tied to recent international travel. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora and is typically spread through food or water contaminated with the parasite.
“We have one local case now,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. He said the health department’s investigation indicated the patient may have contracted the illness while traveling internationally.
State health officials have also reported a broader increase in cases. The Alabama Department of Public Health announced this week that 11 additional cyclosporiasis cases have been reported statewide, with most concentrated in the state’s Northern District, which recorded nine cases, while one case each was reported in the Northeastern and Southwestern districts.
Dr. Tommie Walker IV, epidemiologist and director of data analytics and epidemiology at the Mobile County Health Department, said the illness spreads when food or water becomes contaminated with small amounts of stool containing the parasite and is then eaten or consumed. He recommended washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them, scrubbing firm produce with a clean produce brush, and washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing or eating food, after handling raw food, and after using the restroom.
No hospitalizations or deaths tied to cyclosporiasis have been reported in Alabama so far, and nationally the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has received more than 1,600 reports of the illness since May 1. Anyone experiencing frequent, watery diarrhea for more than 48 hours, particularly alongside symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite or weight loss, is encouraged to see a healthcare provider for testing and appropriate treatment.