(AP) — A parasitic infection tied to fresh produce has made scores of people across the United States sick, triggering one of the country’s largest cyclospora outbreaks in recent memory. Health experts say the situation is serious but manageable — and there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself.
Investigators have not yet pinpointed the exact food source behind the current outbreak. Tracing cyclospora can be especially difficult because the contamination sometimes comes from a single ingredient — such as basil or cilantro — that shows up in many different recipes.
More than 1,500 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with the infection, and health officials are looking into similar illnesses across 30 other states. It marks the largest cyclospora outbreak in Michigan’s history and one of the biggest nationwide in years. No deaths have been reported.
The good news: cyclospora infections can generally be treated with antibiotics and rarely lead to serious health complications.
What is cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a tiny, round parasite that attacks the intestines and spreads through feces. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it typically causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.” Outbreaks most commonly occur during late spring and summer.
In past outbreaks, people were infected after eating fruits or vegetables that had been exposed to irrigation water contaminated with feces. The situation is further complicated when food distributors send the same tainted products to both grocery stores and restaurants, making it hard to trace the original source.
Food safety tips to reduce your risk
Dr. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at Hawaii’s medical school and a pediatrician on the island of Kauai, says the outbreak is a good reminder to stick to basic hygiene habits. That means washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling any food. She notes that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against cyclospora — soap and water are the way to go.
Previous outbreaks have been connected to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and salad mixes.
When it comes to washing produce, Noel offers these specific suggestions: separate the leaves of herbs like cilantro and basil before rinsing; for green onions, trim the roots, peel away the outer layer, and rub them under running water. Cooking produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) will kill the parasite.
Research also shows that soaking produce in a vinegar solution can help. While vinegar won’t destroy cyclospora, it can help dislodge it. Noel recommends submerging fruits and vegetables in a bowl of three parts water to one part vinegar and swishing for a few minutes. A salad spinner rinse afterward can remove the vinegar taste.
Rather than buying pre-mixed salad bags, consider purchasing a whole head of lettuce and discarding the outer leaves. For melons, scrub the exterior thoroughly before cutting — the knife can transfer germs from the rind into the flesh. Peel produce whenever possible, and don’t overlook cleaning cutting boards and countertops as well.
Some produce is harder to clean
Vegetables with tight crevices or delicate skin — like broccoli and cauliflower — are more difficult to clean thoroughly. Because berries are especially hard to wash, Noel suggests cooking them in pies or turning them into jam rather than eating them raw. Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and radishes, which grow underground and collect heavy dirt, also require extra attention.
Even produce labeled as “pre-washed” should be washed again using a water and vinegar solution before eating.
‘We don’t need to panic’
Noel is clear that she does not want people to stop eating fruits and vegetables out of fear. The health benefits of fresh produce far outweigh the risks posed by this outbreak.
“We don’t need to panic,” she said.
Her advice: stay informed, keep up with good hygiene practices, and enjoy summer’s produce with a little extra care.
