Sixteen people in Hamilton County have fallen ill from a parasitic infection tied to a multistate outbreak that has already surpassed the previous U.S. record of roughly 4,700 cases set in 2019, according to WCPO reporting on state-level data.
Hamilton County Public Health reported the 16 cases of cyclosporiasis as of Tuesday, July 14: 10 confirmed, one probable, and five suspected. That's up from five cases on Thursday, July 2, a tripling in under two weeks.
The county health department also reported a "statistically significant increase" in people seeking care for gastrointestinal issues broadly. More than 40 people have sought treatment for diarrheal illness, vomiting, and abdominal pain, according to Hamilton County Public Health data reported by WLWT.
What's causing it
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which contaminates fresh produce. It does not spread person to person.
The CDC linked the outbreak across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia to a "likely common source." Michigan has been hardest hit with more than 3,300 cases reported at the state level. Ohio is the second-hardest-hit state, with 364 confirmed cases in statewide data dated Wednesday, July 9. Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said on Wednesday, July 15 that he expects the statewide count to rise significantly when new numbers are released Thursday, July 17.
Ohio has not confirmed a source for the outbreak. Michigan health officials identified lettuce or salad greens as a potential source based on interviews with more than 1,000 patients, though other food items have not been ruled out.
The Washington Post reported Monday, July 14 that federal and state investigators are looking into whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role. Some people who became ill told investigators they had eaten at Taco Bell, but others had not, suggesting the outbreak extends beyond the chain. Some Taco Bell locations in the Detroit area stopped serving lettuce, cilantro, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Taco Bell has not publicly responded to media requests for comment.
Symptoms to watch for
Vanderhoff said on Wednesday, July 15, that the illness can look like heat-related sickness or food poisoning at first. The key difference: the diarrhea doesn't go away.
"One of the interesting things about this is you can feel like you are getting better, and then it comes back," Vanderhoff said. "And it will wax and wane for weeks in some cases, so if you've got a severe case of diarrhea, go to the doctor."
Other symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, low-grade fever, and extreme tiredness. They can appear between two days and two weeks after infection. The illness is not usually life-threatening and is typically treated with antibiotics. No deaths have been reported in Ohio.
How to protect yourself
Vanderhoff recommended skipping bagged and prepackaged salads and instead buying a whole head of lettuce so each leaf can be washed individually under running water. He also urged residents to scrub firm produce like melons before cutting into them, since a knife can drag surface contamination through the fruit.
Hamilton County Public Health advises washing hands with soap and water before and after preparing raw produce, washing all fruits and vegetables under running water rather than in standing water, and refrigerating cut or peeled produce promptly.
Residents with questions can contact Hamilton County Public Health at 513-946-7800 or visit hcph.org.
