Clark County reports no cyclosporiasis cases as nationwide diarrhea-causing outbreak grows

Clark County has recorded no confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis despite a growing national outbreak that has sickened more than 1,000 people, Southern Nevada Health District officials said Tuesday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, since May 1, it has identified 1,645 domestically acquired cases of the illness. The agency also noted it is aware of more than 5,100 additional cases that have not yet been classified as domestically acquired and remain under review. According to the CDC, cyclosporiasis has been detected in at least 34 states since the beginning of May. The infection stems from the microscopic parasite *Cyclospora* and is most commonly transmitted through contaminated fresh produce or, less frequently, water. Person‑to‑person spread is considered rare. While the illness can be severe, it is seldom life‑threatening, and some infected individuals remain asymptomatic. CDC data show that case numbers typically rise during the spring and summer months. Symptoms generally appear about a week after exposure but may develop as early as two days or as late as two weeks afterward. They include loss of appetite, pronounced watery diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Southern Nevada Health District advised anyone experiencing prolonged diarrhea or related symptoms to seek medical evaluation for possible laboratory testing. The infection responds to antibiotic therapy, though symptoms may persist longer if diagnosis or treatment is delayed. To lower the risk of cyclosporiasis and similar illnesses, health officials recommend washing hands with soap and warm water before eating or handling food, rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under running water, and cooking food to an internal temperature of at least 158 °F, which destroys the parasite. The update from Southern Nevada officials coincides with recent increases in cyclosporiasis reported by several states, including Michigan, over the past two weeks, according to Michigan health authorities. In contrast, California health officials said Tuesday that the state is not experiencing a current rise in cases. They reported 41 cyclosporiasis infections from January through the end of the previous month, roughly half the 80 cases recorded during the same period last year.