Colorado intestinal parasite outbreak linked to taco restaurant on Western Slope

Colorado has seen a year’s worth of infections by an intestinal parasite in less than two months following an outbreak on the Western Slope.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 62 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1. In a typical year, the state averages 63 cases. No hospitalizations or deaths have been linked to the outbreak.

Most people infected with Cyclospora parasites get sick one to two weeks after eating or drinking something contaminated. The most common symptom is watery diarrhea, but some people experience loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, body aches, headaches, or fever. Not everyone develops symptoms.

Forty-five of the infected people reported eating at Tacos del GNAR in Ridgway, but typically Cyclospora outbreaks are the result of contamination during growing or shipping, rather than bad food-handling practices, the health department said.

The restaurant cooperated with the investigation and disposed of all produce, the agency said.

People who ate at the restaurant after May 1 and have symptoms should contact a health care provider for testing and possible antibiotic treatment, the health department said. Anyone who ate there after May 1, whether they got sick or not, is asked to fill out a survey so investigators can determine what foods might have caused the illnesses.

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