According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since July 9, more than 800 people across at least 31 states have reported cases of cyclosporiasis, which is caused by the Cyclospora parasite.
From symptoms to look out for to expert-backed recommendations for how to stay safe during this outbreak, here's everything you need to know.
Dr. Sumant Inamdar, MD, MPH, spokesperson with the American Gastroenterological Association, tells Parade, "Cyclospora infects the small intestine; hence, it most commonly causes frequent, watery diarrhea, which may be sudden or explosive. Other symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and marked fatigue."
"Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure, although onset can range from roughly two days to two weeks or longer," he notes. "Some infected people have no symptoms."
"Keep in mind that having these symptoms does not mean you have a Cyclospora infection," explains Dr. Eyad Gharaibeh, MD, of Austin Gastroenterology. "One distinctive feature of Cyclospora diarrhea is that the symptoms can come and go in waves where you feel improvement for one to two days, then suffer from another cycle of prolonged diarrhea."
"A healthcare provider will usually ask how long the diarrhea has lasted, whether the person recently traveled and whether they ate fresh produce that may have been connected to an outbreak," says Dr. Jason Korenblit, MD, gastroenterologist and digestive health expert for JustAnswer. "Cyclospora is diagnosed through a stool test. However, patients should know that routine stool testing does not always include Cyclospora. Even some gastrointestinal PCR panels do not test for it. The healthcare provider may need to specifically request a Cyclospora test. The parasite can also be difficult to detect because it may not appear in every stool sample. A patient may need to provide several samples collected on different days."
"People should contact a healthcare provider if watery diarrhea lasts more than a few days, keeps returning or is causing weight loss," Dr. Korenblit explains. "Medical attention is especially important for people who cannot keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, are pregnant, are older or have a weakened immune system."
How Does Cyclospora Spread?
Get ready to (probably) get grossed out. Dr. Inamdar explains, "Cyclospora is usually acquired by consuming food or water contaminated with human fecal material."
"The best way to protect yourself from Cyclospora is to avoid eating food contaminated with the parasite," Dr. Vanessa Coffman, Ph.D., alliance director for Stop Foodborne Illness, tells Parade. "The challenge right now is that investigators have not yet identified the specific food, or foods, responsible for the current outbreak or outbreaks, so there isn't a definitive product or brand for consumers to avoid."
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"The biggest mistake people make is assuming a quick rinse makes contaminated produce safe," Dr. Coffman says. "While everyone should wash fruits and vegetables under cool running water to remove dirt and reduce some germs, Cyclospora is different. The parasite sticks tightly to produce, and while rinsing thoroughly can reduce the number of infective cells, it may not eliminate them entirely."
Another Common Mistake To Avoid
"Forgetting to wash the surfaces they place fruit and vegetables with skin on such as cutting boards or kitchen counters," she says. "People are right to assume that eating produce with skin is safer, but it's important to still wash and scrub the surface of a mango, for example, even before cutting into it and then placing on their cutting board."
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"Make sure to wash your hands before handling fruit or vegetables when you are preparing them, and then thoroughly wash them even if they say on the package that it has been prewashed," Dr. Katherine S. Freeman, MD, internist and gastroenterologist at Catholic Health, recommends. "Cut away any bruised or damaged areas of the fruits and vegetables and make sure to store vegetables and fruit in refrigerator as quickly as possible after buying them from the store, ideally within two hours."
"Cyclospora is especially difficult to remove from fresh produce at home because the parasite can cling tightly to the surface of fruits and vegetables and lodge in natural cracks and crevices," Dr. Coffman explains. "While rinsing produce under cool, running water is an important food safety habit and may reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, it may not remove the pathogen entirely."
"If you or someone in your household is at higher risk for severe illness—such as an older adult, a young child, someone who is immunocompromised, or someone who is pregnant—you may want to cook produce when it's practical," she advises. "Cyclospora is inactivated by heat, so foods should reach an internal temperature of at least 158°F (70°C). Using a food thermometer is the best way to verify that food has reached a safe temperature."
"Avoid eating any of the at risk foods entirely, or ensure that you're eating them cooked," she says. "These include pre-packaged salads, cilantro, basil, parsley, snow peas, raspberries and blackberries. Although, the exact food source has yet to be firmly identified, the suspicion is that it is from packaged salads."
Is Cyclosporiasis Treatable?
So you maybe didn't wash your pre-washed salad too thoroughly—or you did, but you got still sick. Is there any relief?
"Getting the right diagnosis is important because the treatment for a parasite is different from treatment for a viral stomach bug," gastroenterologist Dr. Partha Nandi, MD, FACP, author of Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain: The Five Pillars of Enhancing Your Gut and Optimizing Your Cognitive Health tells Parade. "Cyclospora is treated with an antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, often known by the brand name Bactrim or Septra. Most healthy people respond very well to treatment. Staying hydrated is also essential, especially for children, older adults, and anyone with severe diarrhea. If you have persistent diarrhea, don't assume it will simply go away. Getting evaluated early can shorten the illness and help prevent complications like dehydration. With appropriate treatment, most people begin to feel better within a few days, although full recovery may take a little longer depending on how severe the illness has become."
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Sources:
Dr. Vanessa Coffman, Ph.D.Dr. Katherine S. Freeman, MDDr. Eyad Gharaibeh, MDDr. Sumant Inamdar, MD, MPHDr. Jason Korenblit, MDDr. Partha Nandi, MD, FACPDr. Leybelis Padilla, MDCenters for Disease Control and PreventionHence then, the article about a food safety expert is begging you to stop making this mistake when washing your fruits and vegetables was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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