A recent surge in reports of illnesses due to the parasite Cyclospora  has prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services to investigate the infections in hopes of determining a common source.

DSHS has received reports of 113 Cyclosporiasis cases from around Texas this year, including 101 in the last two weeks.

DSHS recommends thoroughly washing fresh produce, but that may not entirely eliminate the risk because Cyclospora can be difficult to wash off. Cooking will kill the parasite.

Last year, Texas had 200 cases, some of which were associated with cilantro from the Puebla region in Mexico.