FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Health officials are investigating a growing number of cyclosporiasis cases in Allen County as doctors warn that contaminated fresh produce may be the common link.
The Allen County Department of Health reported 32 confirmed cases as of Wednesday. Parkview Health also confirmed it has treated patients with the illness, although the health system did not provide a specific number. Doctors said they are also seeing more patients arrive at walk-in clinics with severe watery diarrhea, raising concerns that the actual number of cases may be higher.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Unlike many stomach illnesses, it generally does not spread directly from one person to another. The parasite must first spend time in the environment before becoming infectious…