The CDC is warning of an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. Here’s what you need to know:
Cases of cyclosporiasis are increasing across the United States as authorities warn of contaminated produce and symptoms.
If your diet includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, you may have increased concerns about what you should be eating as cyclosporiasis infections are spiking across the country.
The disease, caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora caetanensis, is usually transmitted through contaminated food and causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Luckily, there are still ways to consume your favorite vegetables, including washing them properly, cooking them, and swapping them out for frozen or canned alternatives. Here’s what you need to know:
How to clean produce during cyclosporosis
To reduce the risk of cysticercosis, health officials suggest avoiding pre-washed bagged lettuce and salad mixes.
Instead, buy lettuce whole, discard the outer layer of the leaves, and wash the rest thoroughly under running water, separating the leaves as you wash them. The same goes for fresh herbs.
Cut off the roots of green onions, remove the surface layer, and wash thoroughly under running water.
For hard produce like melons and cucumbers, use a clean brush to scrub them.
Health officials say that in addition to proper cleaning, heating food above 158 degrees will kill parasites. So, for certain produce, you can choose to cook and eat it.
You should also wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food.
While past outbreaks have sometimes been linked to fruits and vegetables, Dr. Tammy Lundstrom, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Trinity Health, said the source of this outbreak has not yet been determined and it is “unknown if a specific fresh food product is the culprit.”
Healthy Alternatives to Fresh Food
If you’re still wary of reaching for lettuce, there are other ways to fill your plate with fruits and vegetables, including canned and frozen options.
“Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are safe alternatives,” Dr. Steven Goldberg, chief medical officer of the Infectious Disease Research Institute HealthTrackRx and a primary and emergency medicine physician, told USA TODAY. “Processes such as blanching, cooking, and freezing effectively eliminate Cyclospora and other parasites.”
Additionally, they are “nutritionally equivalent in many items” for people seeking additional reassurance during the outbreak, he said.
And while you might think frozen produce isn’t as nutritious as fresh produce, dietitian Daniel Crumble-Smith agrees: “Frozen vegetables are highly nutritious and are a great option.”
“It’s flash-frozen and preserved at its peak ripeness stage, where all of these nutrients are present,” she told USA TODAY.
Additionally, similar to frozen fruit, frozen vegetables can also be added to smoothies and juices for added nutrition, Crumble-Smith noted.
Frozen, canned, and even dried fruits and vegetables count as a healthy diet, Leslie Bonci, a certified sports nutritionist and founder of Active Eating Advice, told USA TODAY. Regardless of how they’re stored, these foods contain fiber, vitamins and other important nutrients, she said.
How worried should I be about cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is associated with prolonged diarrhea and nausea, which can cause severe dehydration, but is not considered a life-threatening disease.
Kalmia Kneel, a professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware, urged people not to panic over the spread of infection.
“We see cases every year,” Knier told USA TODAY. “Remember, it’s not a deadly microorganism. It’s treatable.”
Goldberg agreed that cysticercosis is “a real but manageable concern and not a reason for panic.”
However, the recent outbreak has raised questions about recent funding cuts to public health. USA TODAY has reached out to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration for comment.
“Spread is inevitable, but our ability to detect outbreaks early, identify contaminated food, and prevent further illness depends entirely on the public health infrastructure we choose to fund,” Goldberg said.
Contributor: Christopher Kang
