Wayne County isn’t immune from the surging state and national wave of cases of digestive distress.
As of Wednesday, July 22, Indiana Department of Health has confirmed three cases of cyclosporiasis in Wayne County among 594 statewide.
In addition, three cases have been confirmed in Henry County and one in Randolph County.
Beth Newton, deputy director of clinical services for Wayne County Health Department, said Wayne County’s first case was reported to public health officials on Friday, July 17, and was confirmed to county officials on Monday, July 20.
IDOH notified WCHD about the second and third cases early July 22, Newton said.
WCHD staff follow up with those patients to learn what they’ve been eating and where. The information they collect goes into the state system for officials to analyze.
She said they are in the beginning phases of gathering details from the newest patients, so no information is available about any potentially connecting food patterns.
Newton encourages anyone feeling ill to contact their primary care provider to determine if they should go to urgent care.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says primary symptoms include watery diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite. Lab tests are needed to confirm the illness, which IDOH says can be treated with antibiotics as well as rest and fluids to maintain hydration.
Newton said the best way to prevent illness is cooking produce. CDC says washing fruits or vegetables alone can’t guarantee removal of the microscopic parasite, so food should be cooked to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
She also recommends that customers buy vegetables and fruits from local farmers they trust, wash their own hands before handling food, and follow general food safety practices.
“We hate to tell people not to eat salad, but we haven’t seen it in any doughnuts,” Newton said.
IDOH officials say they’re working with local, state and federal public health partners to identify possible sources of the illness.
Indiana’s highest numbers of cases are in northern Allen County, with 89 in the Fort Wayne area, followed by 64 near the state capital in Marion County, but many counties have at least one case.
Indiana continually updates case counts and shares related information at in.gov/health/idepd/diseases-and-conditions-resource-page/cyclosporiasis
A version of this article will appear in the July 29 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
