Caddo Parish Extension Office

Our office will be closing today at 10:45 am for maintenance. Please contact the Red River Research Station at 318-741-7430 for immediate assistance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Cyclospora cases are still increasing in Louisiana, and the Louisiana Department of Health has launched a public dashboard (shown here) showing cases by parish. As of August 5, Louisiana has reported 125 cases of cyclosporiasis. Six individuals have been hospitalized, and East Baton Rouge and Lafayette parishes currently report the highest number of cases.

The illness is often linked to contaminated fresh produce that is consumed raw, including leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables.

Symptoms typically appear about one week after exposure. Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Severe diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, decreased urination)
- High fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Young children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems may be at greater risk for severe illness

While there is no way to completely eliminate the risk, these food safety practices can help reduce your chances of becoming ill:
- For produce that can be cooked, cooking to 158°F (70°C) or higher provides the greatest protection.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh produce.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Scrub firm produce such as melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush.
- Remove damaged or bruised areas from fruits and vegetables.
- Clean and sanitize cutting boards, knives, countertops, and other food-contact surfaces.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.
- Stay hydrated and contact your healthcare provider if you experience persistent diarrhea or other symptoms.

You can read more about cyclospora here: https://tinyurl.com/27rwcm9c
View the Department of Health's dashboard and map: https://tinyurl.com/4hjvhyzc

We are kicking off the school year with our first Junior Leader meeting! Come have some ice cream, learn about service projects, and enroll in 4-H! 🍨🍦🧁
Junior Leaders is a project club open to 7th - 12th grade 4-H members. We focus on service learning, community outreach, and leadership development. We would LOVE to have you be a part of the 2026-2027 Caddo 4-H Junior Leaders!

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 4-H year is now open!

‼️Enrollment is open for the 2026-2027 school year‼️
Visit www.4honline.com to sign up!

We are thankful to be at the Caddo Parish Public Schools Parish Wide Administrators this morning. We are excited for the new school year!

We had the best time celebrating Caddo Parish 4-H’s 100 birthday last night! Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors for helping Birthday Bingo happen!

Only 31 tickets available!

WE ONLY HAVE 31 SEATS LEFT!!!! Don't miss out on this fun, family friendly event! We are so excited!

You may have seen recent reports about cyclosporiasis in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed cases of this intestinal illness, which is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Cyclospora is commonly linked to contaminated produce such as leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables. Symptoms usually begin about one week after consumption and may include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating and gas
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Low grade fever

While no single step can completely eliminate the risk of Cyclospora, LSU AgCenter food safety experts say following good food safety practices can help reduce your risk:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, before eating, and after using the restroom.
- Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Remove damaged or bruised portions of fruits and vegetables before eating them.
- Keep fresh produce separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood.
- Wash and sanitize cutting boards, countertops, knives, and other food-contact surfaces regularly.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.
- Buy fresh produce from reputable sources and ensure pre cut produce is properly refrigerated.
- Use safe drinking water, especially when traveling to areas with uncertain water quality.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you experience persistent diarrhea, dehydration, or other symptoms that do not improve. Specific laboratory testing is needed to diagnose Cyclospora infection.