Henderson County health officials are urging residents to take extra care with fresh produce after reporting seven cyclosporiasis cases between July 2 and July 16. The county typically records only two to three cases in an entire year.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. People can become infected after consuming contaminated food or water. In its July 16 update, the county said investigators had found no common link or source among the local cases.
The same county update reported 307 North Carolina cases and 13 hospitalizations from May 1 through July 14. Henderson County Public Health said its communicable disease nurses were working with health care providers, environmental health specialists and neighboring counties to monitor cases and provide education…