Douglas County officials: 'Rapid' Cyclospora surge reported, Taco Bell emerges as top exposure - KETV

The Douglas County Health Department reported a "rapid increase" in Cyclospora infections, identifying 27 total cases among county residents, including 12 unconfirmed cases in the past four days, with 10 new cases logged on Monday alone.
Epidemiologists identified eating at Taco Bell as the most common exposure, with nearly two-thirds of those interviewed reporting they ate at the fast food chain in the two weeks before falling ill.
Dr. Justin Frederick, deputy health director and chief of epidemiology and preparedness, noted that while Cyclospora appears every summer, this level of activity in such a short period is highly unusual.
Frederick cautioned that the investigation remains active and that pinpointing a common exposure is only one step in the process, emphasizing continued collaboration with state and federal partners.
Local epidemiologists are working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the FDA to determine whether the Douglas County cases are part of a larger multistate outbreak.
Nationally, the intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite is surging, with nearly 7,000 cases confirmed or under investigation since May 1 and at least 180 hospitalizations reported, according to CDC data published Tuesday.