( CNN ) -- Forty-eight new cases of an intestinal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces have been reported in Texas this past week alone , officials said Thursday . Most reports come from the Dallas/Fort Worth area . The source of the illness is unknown . In the past , imported fresh produce led to outbreaks of cyclospora infection in the United States . The Texas Department of State Health Services has not confirmed whether the latest reports are produce-related . `` DCHHS is continuing to investigate the possible food sources of contamination and who may have been exposed to them , '' Zachary Thompson , the department 's director said in a statement . The outbreak may be related to cyclospora reports in Iowa and Nebraska , according to the department 's press release . On Tuesday , officials issued a health advisory warning residents of the infection . In 2012 , 44 cases of the infection were reported in Texas . Another 14 cases were reported the year before . Symptoms include watery diarrhea , loss of appetite and nausea . The infection is not highly contagious because it must pass in bowel movements before it can spread to others , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . People in tropical regions are at an increased risk of getting the infection . Medication is available for people who contract the infection . Those with weaker immune systems may require longer forms of treatment . `` To decrease the risk of eating fresh produce it is important to thoroughly rinse your fruits and vegetables several times , '' said Dr. Christopher Perkins , the Texas department 's medical director said in a statement . CNN 's Joe Sutton contributed to this report .
Almost 50 new cases of cyclospora infection reported in Texas . Illness is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces . The source of the infection is unknown .