The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has released new statistics on the number of cases of cyclosporiasis across the state.
According to the agency the surge in infections has risen from 615 a week ago to 748. Health officials report the cases are concentrated in three Kansas counties, Johnson, Shawnee and Sedgwick resulting in 32 hospitalizations in Kansas and two deaths nationally.
Officials expect the case count to keep rising because it can take up to six weeks for health agencies to determine whether an illness is part of the outbreak. Cyclosporiasis is caused by infection with the parasite commonly found in tropical or subtropical countries and spread by food or water contaminated with feces.
Prevention involves washing produce thoroughly and considering cooked alternatives during high-activity periods. The parasite does not spread person-to-person.
