RICHARDSON Elizabeth Vance headed into work Friday even though she felt lousy.
'About two weeks ago,' Vance said. 'I started getting severe abdominal pain, night sweats and the chills throughout the day. I finally called my doctor and he started running tests on me.'
In June, Vance fell ill weeks with what she thought was food poisoning. She went to the doctor when symptoms worsened again about two weeks ago. Tests just this week confirmed cyclospora, a parasitic infection that's spread mostly from eating unwashed produce.
Dozens of cases have been reported in North Texas. County health investigators are working together to determine the source.
'Based on the contact investigation with the patients, there's not a commonality yet in terms of the source,' said Zachary Thompson, Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Vance has been questioned extensively by the Collin County Health Department about where and what she has eaten.
Experts say it's relatively common for symptoms when it comes to parasites to wane and then become severe again. Vance wants everyone to be aware of that fact, and the threat of cyclospora.
'The more I'm talking to people about it the more they're telling me that they have family members that have had this for a month or so also,' Vance said.
Treatment is available for cyclospora. Doctors say anyone with gastro-intestinal symptoms that last more than a few days should consult a physician to determine if they need a test for the parasite.
Email jstjames@wfaa.com
