Iowa, Linn County cyclospora reports continue to rise

The number of confirmed cases of cyclospora in Linn County continues to increase, according to new monitoring numbers released Monday by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The number of cases in the county now stands at 30, with 71 total cases reported in the state.

Public health officials maintain the intestinal illness is likely not spreading. Rather, awareness about the infection is spreading, leading more people to be tested for the illness.

“We don't think it means there is a lot of continuing exposure,” said Patricia Quinlisk, state epidemiologist and medical director at the Iowa Department of Public Health said last week. “We're not sure yet because we don't know what it is (that is causing the illness). We're still recommending people wash off fruits and vegetables the best they can.”

There were 10 confirmed cases of cyclospora in Linn County on July 8. By Friday, the state department of public health announced the number of cases in the county had increased to 21.

The disease, which causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and a low-grade fever, in addition to other symptoms, is spread by ingesting food or water that has been contaminated with infected human feces. Those symptoms can last anywhere from nine to 43 days if left untreated.Quinlisk said that, though young children and the elderly typically experience cyclospora symptoms for a longer period of time, an average healthy adult can experience watery diarrhea for up to 57 days if left untreated.

Most people began experiencing symptoms in mid to late June.