‘Much, much more than what’s been reported’: Keep cyclospora on your radar as cases climb in Illinois, expert advises

With cyclosporiasis cases continuing to spike in Illinois, medical experts advise residents to avoid certain types of lettuce and take basic precautions, such as thoroughly rinsing greens to dodge the nasty illness.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is currently reporting 707 confirmed and probable cases of the gastrointestinal disease — up from 508 on July 23 — and 47 hospitalizations. No one has died from the multistate outbreak.

Illinois’ count mirrors a nationwide climb, with more than 18,200 confirmed and possible cyclosporiasis infections amid a major outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, thousands of cases are not being counted, experts contend.

“This is one of these kinds of diseases that can be very mild or very severe,” Cook County Department of Public Health’s Dr. Rachel Rubin said.

And because many healthy people “weather the storm” and don’t see a doctor, “we know it’s much, much more than what’s been reported,” added Rubin, CCDPH senior medical director.

Many Illinois cases are related to eating shredded lettuce while dining out, leading to those products being removed from restaurants and stores to stem the outbreak. Infections in July reached levels not seen since 2018, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said last month.

The largest cyclosporiasis clusters appear to be in Chicago and suburban Cook County. City officials listed more than 90 infections while suburban Cook had 154 Wednesday, with 93 confirmed and 61 probable.

Elsewhere in the metro region, Kane had 45 cases as of Thursday. Will County reported 24 under investigation in July, with 20 recorded in May and June.

That’s in comparison to 35 last summer, Will County Health Department spokesperson Kevin Juday said.

In McHenry County, more than 46 cases of cyclosporiasis have been listed between June 28 and July 30.

“The investigation remains active, and the number of reported cases continues to change,” McHenry County Department of Health spokesman Nick Kubiak said Friday.

DuPage and Lake health departments were unable to provide case counts last week.

There are at least six outbreaks U.S. authorities are tracking, but the CDC has said the main one “is linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.”

Cases from that outbreak “might be peaking,” Rubin said. “When you reach 21 days after exposure, chances are you’re not going to be getting it.”

Cooler fall weather also should thwart cyclospora, the parasite that causes infections, which thrives in hot temperatures, she added.

Here are some quick facts about the illness:

• Symptoms include “explosive diarrhea,” cramps, bloating, fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite. If you contract cyclosporiasis, stay hydrated, the CDC recommends

Also, “it can be treated with very common antibiotics,” Rubin noted.

• When should you call your healthcare provider?

If you’re experiencing frequent watery stools, or cramping and bloating and nausea, as well as feeling weak “it’s probably good to go in and be seen because you could be significantly dehydrated. You also can have electrolyte imbalances when you have a lot of diarrhea,” Rubin explained.

Those most likely to be hospitalized are the elderly and very young children.

“It’s something that should be on people’s radar,” she advised. “You should just be careful if you do have symptoms of it and not wait too long to get care, especially if you’re not able to keep anything down. Because it is treatable.”

• To prevent contracting the disease, experts advise being up to date on food recalls and avoiding bagged lettuce, particularly iceberg. Wash your hands before and after preparing food.

Consumers should rinse greens and vegetables thoroughly under running water even if they’ve been prewashed. Peel vegetables such as carrots, zucchini and cucumbers. Consider eating cooked instead of raw produce, heating items to a temperature of at least 158 degrees.

CCDPH officials also urge the public to help track the disease by responding to calls from contact tracers.

mpyke@dailyherald.com