Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is reporting the first case of cyclosporiasis in Washoe County for 2026.<\/p>\n
NNPH says the resident, a male in his 70s, most likely acquired the disease while traveling in the Midwest, where a multistate cyclospora outbreak is occurring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes gastrointestinal (GI) issues like diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and bloating. The disease is not commonly transmitted from person-to-person, but rather through consuming produce (like shredded iceberg lettuce, leafy greens, berries, and herbs) or water contaminated with the parasite.<\/p>\n
The case is under investigation, but there is no evidence that cyclosporiasis exposure has occurred in Washoe County.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough this infection was associated with travel outside Nevada, it serves as a reminder that outbreaks in other parts of the country can have local impacts,\u201d NNPH District Health Officer Dr. Chad Kingsley said. \u201cNorthern Nevada Public Health is monitoring the situation and working with our state and federal partners to ensure we’re prepared to respond if additional cases are identified.\u201d<\/p>\n
NNPH says cyclosporiasis is rare in Washoe County and the CDC said that lettuce being voluntarily recalled nationally was not distributed to Nevada.<\/p>\n
Because fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet, it\u2019s always recommended to take steps to reduce the chance of infection.<\/p>\n
Cooking produce reduces the risk of infection; however, simple steps like rinsing fresh produce and preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen can go a long way in preventing the spread of foodborne diseases.<\/p>\n
Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis, which include:<\/p>\n
* Watery diarrhea<\/p>\n
* Fatigue<\/p>\n
* Loss of appetite<\/p>\n
* Cramping<\/p>\n
* Bloating<\/p>\n
According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin about a week after becoming infected and without treatment can last from a few days to a month or longer.<\/p>\n