Health department reports 384 Cyclospora cases in Jackson County; no confirmed local source

The Jackson County health director told the Board of Commissioners the county has recorded 384 cases of Cyclospora as state and federal partners investigate likely sources.

"We are as of last week, I think last Thursday was updated in Jackson. We have 3 84 cases," the health director said, adding that MDHHS had relaxed earlier guidance about purchasing and consuming bagged lettuce and that case investigations and contact tracing are ongoing. The director said local communicable-disease nurses perform case investigations and use the state's disease surveillance system to funnel data to the state and the CDC for analysis.

When commissioners asked whether a source had been found within Jackson County, the director replied, "No," saying the state has not identified a 100% confirmed source. The director also said that, at the height of the outbreak, the department recorded hospitalizations tied to the Cyclospora event and that states and federal partners are working to identify contributing sources.

The board received the annual and monthly health reports by motion after the update; the director offered to return with program-level staff if commissioners want more detail.