COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

In about a week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported that cases of cyclosporiasis in Missouri has nearly doubled from 43 to 80.

"There are more cases across the country than we usually see in an entire year," DHSS said in a Facebook Post Thursday.

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health also stated on Thursday that cases in the county have risen from 9 cases on Wednesday to 13 on Thursday.

"The current indication is that these cases were acquired locally; however, further analysis will be required," PHHS spokesman Austin Krohn said in a statement on Thursday.

John Macon, the owner of Smash and Dash Grill, reported that sales were down by around 50% Thursday. He adds the food truck is also temporarily removing lettuce from its burgers.

 "Everybody that's come up has said 'no lettuce on our sandwich.'" Macon said. "In fact, we added a sign that said we don't have lettuce simply because everybody was coming up and saying, 'no, lettuce on our sandwich.'"

According to DHSS, the Cyclospora parasite is spread through human waste.

"In the United States, we have very robust water treatment facilities; it would be unusual for raw sewage to make its way into say like a farm or an irrigation system," DHSS epidemiologist Nathan Koffarnus said. "In some less developed countries, that is unfortunately much more common."

Macon adds that while his products are at low risk, it's better to be safe than sorry.

"While we wash all of our produce, we prep all of our produce, we get it local, much lower risk, we care about the customers enough, and that's our that's why we're here, is because of the customers," Macon said.

Cyclosporiasis is believed to be contracted through eating produce or water contaminated by the Cyclospora parasite. Health officials say symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure and can include frequent diarrhea, dehydration from diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Less common symptoms include vomiting and a low-grade fever.

DHSS reports cyclosporiasis cases typically rise during the summer, but Missouri usually sees only about 15 around this time of year. The department also suspects that the attention to the parasite has increased the number of reports made.

Boone Health reported Wednesday that five people have been hospitalized due to the illness.

The Cole County Health Department wrote in a Thursday statement that it was not releasing its numbers just yet because “When case numbers are very small, releasing additional information may increase the risk of identifying an individual. Protecting patient confidentiality remains our priority, and we do not release information that could compromise an individual's privacy.”

While some people have been seen online using vinegar to clean produce, health experts say the best way to kill the parasite is to cook produce at 158 degrees. It is also recommended to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables, both local and imported, before eating

Krohn added that buying local could help reduce the risk, but still encourages produce to be washed.