California's cyclosporiasis cases are 'higher than expected,' but officials aren't sure why

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Set us as preferred California is reporting more cases of cyclosporiasis than it would on average for this point in the summer, including two recent cases where residents ate at out-of-state Taco Bell restaurants, according to state health officials and data.Despite the uptick, officials say California is not included in the cyclosporiasis outbreak that’s hit 15 states, sickening tens of thousands of people with prolonged bouts of diarrhea.However, officials with the California Department of Public Health told The Times the number of cases is “now higher than what we might expect for this point in the season.” California’s cyclosporiasis data now includes probable cases — meaning an ill person showed signs and symptoms of the parasite but the case lacks laboratory confirmation — as well as internationally acquired cases, significantly increasing the state’s case count from previous estimates in June.Between Jan.1 and July 15, there were 201 confirmed and probable cyclosporiasis cases in California, the state health department reported.

Of the total number of cases, 39 were domestically acquired, meaning these infected people became ill either in the state or after traveling within the United States.The rest became ill after traveling internationally, it’s unclear where the sick individuals had traveled to.

“To date, CDPH is aware of 2 cases that traveled to an affected state, ate food at a Taco Bell location and are determined by CDC to be linked to the outbreak,” the agency stated.Because the parasitic disease was contracted from contaminated produce out of state, California is not counted as being a part of the current outbreak.Of the 201 confirmed and probable cases in California, 11 people were hospitalized, officials said.There have been no deaths in relation to the California cases of cyclosporiasis...