By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County Health Department is investigating an increase in confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by consuming food contaminated by feces.
As of Thursday (July 2), the Ohio Department of Health had received reports of more than 20 cases of cyclosporiasis in Wood County and more than 30 cases in Lucas County – the two counties in Ohio to report the most cases of the illness.
“It’s definitely possible the cases are higher,” said Tyler Briggs, assistant director of Health Promotion & Prevention at Wood County Health Department.
The health department has reached out to local emergency departments, urgent care facilities and medical providers asking them to test patients reporting diarrhea symptoms to help in the identification of the contaminated source, Briggs said.
While the source of the illness is currently unknown, cyclosporiasis cases are often linked to various types of fresh produce, especially during the summer months in the U.S.
People can become infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces containing the parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis.
Briggs stressed the importance of washing produce before eating – even if it’s labeled “pre-washed” – since contamination can occur at several different points during preparation and packaging.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically develop within two to 14 days after exposure and may include:
• Watery diarrhea (the most common symptom)
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Abdominal cramps and/or bloating
• Nausea
• Prolonged fatigue
Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for stool testing and treatment. If left untreated, symptoms could last a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may return after initial improvement.
The use of proper antibiotics can help reduce the duration of the symptoms, “and people are less likely to have a relapse,” Briggs said.
As part of the investigation, Wood County Health Department’s epidemiologists have contacted individuals diagnosed with cyclosporiasis to ask about recent foods eaten and other possible exposures. This information helps identify potential sources of illness and prevent additional cases.
Health department staff have interviewed 98% of the people identified with the illness in Wood County, Briggs said.
Public health investigations in the past have traced outbreaks back to a single source, such as a large batch of produce that was distributed in the region or nationwide. A 2022 Florida outbreak was linked in part to bagged romaine lettuce in a Caesar salad mix.
But identifying the source can be difficult because it can take about a week for symptoms to show up after an infection.
“It can be hard to remember what you ate 14 days ago,” Briggs said, but health department staff are trained to help people recall what they have consumed.
The disease is generally not transmitted from person to person.
“If you’re sick, it’s really difficult to give it to other people,” Briggs said.
A cyclosporiasis infection can often clear up on its own in healthy individuals, though symptoms may last several weeks.
As of Thursday, more than 400 people across 18 states had been infected with cyclospora. At least 20 people have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Michigan reported more than 300 cases on Thursday.
The Ohio Department of Health has reported 177 cases of cyclosporiasis in 43 counties so far in 2026. Of those, 171 cases occurred in June, mostly since June 20.
The parasite spreads when people eat food or drink water that was contaminated with feces. People may be at an increased risk for infection when living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world where cyclosporiasis is regularly occurring.
According to the CDC, the people in this latest outbreak became sick after eating food in the U.S. and did not report any travel during the 14 days before they got sick.
Ill people have ranged in age from 5 to 86 years, with a median age of 42, with 61% being female. Of the 145 people with information available, 20 were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state. There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking all cases.
Clusters of cases are currently being investigated for a common source by the Food and Drug Administration. No links have yet been identified to a specific product, but sampling is continuing.
Prevention tips recommended by the Wood County Health Department include:
• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
• Thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Remove any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).
