The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has confirmed 11 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a protozoan parasite, as part of a broader multistate outbreak. State Health Officer Scott Harris announced the figures on Thursday, noting that while the state’s case count remains relatively low compared to other regions, officials are actively tracing the origins of the infections.
Cyclosporiasis is typically transmitted through the consumption of contaminated produce. Symptoms include watery or “explosive” diarrhea, which can be incapacitating but is rarely fatal. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1,600 cases have been reported nationwide across 34 states as of early this week, with an eight percent hospitalization rate.
“One or two of those are linked to outbreaks in other states that we know about,” Harris said. “The others, I’m not sure about how they’re linked or if they’re linked.” Because the illness has an incubation period of approximately 10 to 14 days, contact tracing remains a significant challenge for health investigators.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is monitoring the situation alongside public health officials. Commissioner Rick Pate and Dr. Harris are advising residents to wash all produce thoroughly and consider purchasing fresh items from local farmers, as factory-farmed and bagged greens have been linked to historic outbreaks. While the state typically sees several dozen cases annually, officials emphasize that current precautions are necessary to mitigate risk until the specific source of the contamination is identified.