Wake Cyclospora Cases Reach 236 as Test Demand Strains Urgent Care Supplies
Updated
Updated · WRAL News · Jul 16
Wake Cyclospora Cases Reach 236 as Test Demand Strains Urgent Care Supplies
2 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Jul 16
Summary
Twenty new Wake County cases lifted the season total to 236 on Thursday, as urgent care clinics reported heavy demand for Cyclospora stool testing from patients with persistent diarrhea.
Duke Urgent Care said it now sees about 20 patients a day requesting stool tests, straining limited kit supplies when patients take kits home and fail to return them promptly.
Testing speed and cost vary by method: WakeMed and UNC Health mostly use PCR panels, while Duke relies on microscopic stool analysis that currently takes three to six days and can stretch to a week or longer.
At least five Wake County patients and 13 statewide have been hospitalized; doctors said Bactrim is commonly prescribed after a positive result but may not suit everyone because of allergy risks.
North Carolina has logged at least 307 cases statewide, while officials say Cyclospora usually spreads through contaminated produce or water and recent investigators in Michigan have focused on lettuce.