As cases of ‘Diarrhea Parasite’ Cyclospora
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported cyclospora cases in California as part of a multistate outbreak, prompting doctors to warn people not to underestimate the gastrointestinal illness.
Cyclospora is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite that is often linked to contaminated produce because of the large amount of water needed to grow it. Doctors say contamination is what causes people to become sick.
“In summertime it tends to be a nice environment for the organism to flourish, particularly in watershed areas,” said infectious disease physician Dr. Richard Smith.
The CDC has reported hundreds of cases across 31 states, including California, as of Friday. These people became sick after eating food in the United States and did not report any travel during the 14 days before they got sick. Of 843 cases, 86 were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.
Smith said the true number of infections is likely higher because many people recover without seeking medical treatment.
“Patients report cramps, watery diarrhea. You can have nausea, vomiting. You can have fever. And then a profound dehydration ensues. Usually it ends with admission to local hospitals,” Smith said.
Because produce can come from many places, Smith said consumers should not assume they are insulated from the outbreak.
“Products can come from all over the world. And so I don’t think it’s a safe thing to assume that that’s not going to reach us,” Smith said.
Many people may think thoroughly washing produce is enough to eliminate the parasite, but Smith said that may not be effective.
“Boil it. If you boil it at a higher temperature for a while, you can be sure that the organism is not going to cause problems. Other than that, all bets are off. Even if you wash it with water and soap,” Smith said.
In a new update Tuesday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that while its investigation into the more than 2,600 cases identified so far continues, “current results point to lettuce or salad greens” as a potential source.
The finding only applies to Michigan, and health officials noted that “other food items cannot be completely ruled out” and “no specific type of produce, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.”
But until investigators determine the source of the outbreak, Smith recommends avoiding salad bars if possible.
“If you’re somebody that seems to go into salad bars on a weekly basis, just give that a rest for a week or two while we figure out where this outbreak is coming from,” Smith said.
Smith said people who become dehydrated quickly or who are immunocompromised should be especially cautious.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.