Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 800 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, which enters the body through contaminated produce. The agency is investigating more than 1,500 likely new cases. While the exact source of this massive outbreak isn’t yet known, cyclospora has largely been found on fresh fruits and vegetables that were contaminated by irrigation water tainted with feces. Historically, the most commonly contaminated foods have been raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas, lettuce, mesclun and salad mixes, as well as blackberries, watercress, mango and vegetable trays.
Health officials in Michigan who are investigating the current outbreak suspect lettuce or salad greens.
Frozen or cooked foods, including frozen berries and vegetables, are in the clear.
According to the CDC, those who ingest it may have weeks of watery diarrhea and frequent and explosive bowel movements. The infection can be treated with antibiotics. A stool test will be necessary to diagnose it as a case of cyclosporiasis. Symptoms often start five to seven days after exposure.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill cyclospora, but soap and water are highly effective at killing or removing the parasite from hands. People should wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food.
Tips for washing produce: When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves. For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface. Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful in removing the parasite.
Even if using pre-mixed salads that have labels that indicate the items have been washed, it’s best to wash them again in water and vinegar.
Vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower can be difficult to clean, as well as berries and it is recommended they be cooked rather than eaten raw. Cooking produce to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will also kill cyclospora.
Anything grown underground such as carrots, potatoes and radishes should be peeled as much as possible. The outside of melons should be scrubbed before cutting through since the knife can carry germs from the rind to the fruit inside.