Cyclosporiasis case reported in Manatee County, state health report shows

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A new Florida Department of Health report lists one cyclosporiasis case in Manatee County.

The latest FLHealthCHARTS report, covering Jan. 1 through July 11, lists Manatee County with one confirmed or probable case under the selected criteria. Sarasota County does not appear with a listed count in the visible results.

The update marks a change from previous reporting. A prior Florida Department of Health report listed 50 confirmed or probable cyclosporiasis cases statewide under the selected criteria, including several in counties near the Suncoast, but Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties did not appear among the counties listed with case counts at that time.

The latest report does not identify a source of exposure or a common link. It also does not show where the person may have become ill, been exposed or been diagnosed.

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According to the Florida Department of Health, cases are assigned to counties based on a person’s county of residence at the time the disease was identified. The department says the numbers are preliminary and may change as case reports are investigated and validated.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a single-cell parasite that can contaminate fresh produce through water.

Dr. Ronald Andari, a gastroenterologist with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, said the primary symptom is diarrhea, along with loose stools, increased volume, abdominal cramps and nausea.

“This is a parasitic infection. It’s a food-borne illness,” Andari said. “It’s transmitted by uncooked foods, specifically raw vegetables and fruits.”

Andari said patients with severe or persistent diarrhea should contact their primary care physician or gastroenterologist. Anyone concerned about dehydration should go to the emergency room.

“If it’s a lot of diarrhea, they absolutely need to go to the ER, if there’s any concerns for dehydration,” Andari said.

Andari said the illness is treatable and may require antibiotics, making prompt diagnosis important. Stool testing is typically used to confirm the infection.

He said prevention starts with thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, washing hands, and cleaning cutting boards and food preparation surfaces. He also said hand sanitizer alone is not effective.

“Early diagnosis so we can prevent problems in the future” is paramount, Andari said.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health’s website.