{"id":342961,"date":"2026-07-17T01:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T01:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/342961\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T01:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T01:48:15","slug":"fsu-expert-recommends-washing-produce-with-copious-amounts-of-water-during-parasite-outbreak-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/342961\/","title":{"rendered":"FSU expert recommends washing produce with \u2018copious\u2019 amounts of water during parasite outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Health investigators are working to pinpoint a potential source of contaminated produce<\/a> that may be to blame for a surge in cases of a disease caused by a parasite that leads to explosive diarrhea. <\/p>\n

In the meantime, there\u2019s growing concern about the produce at the grocery store- or the fresh fruits and veggies stored in fridge drawers across the area. <\/p>\n

FSU College of Medicine Professor George Rust tracks all sorts of diseases. <\/p>\n

He says the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis can be difficult to track since symptoms can take up to two weeks to develop. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe detective work that it takes to track down the source can be quite challenging,\u201d Rust said. <\/p>\n

He recalled a local case years ago where cases were caused by a lettuce supplier from out of state. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have a very widely distributed food distribution system in this country,\u201d he said. \u201cThe case that I mentioned previously from Leon County was tracked back to some cases in Georgia and some cases in Missouri. And they were all tied to one packing plant that was putting lettuce in bags.\u201d<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

Rust said early indicators show leafy greens could be at fault here, too. <\/p>\n

\u201cRight now I would say packaged salad greens are probably not a great choice,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have other produce, buy lettuce in whole heads, peel off the outer layer and then wash the rest copiously.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said washing produce with vinegar won\u2019t add any extra protection, as the parasite is resistant to things like chlorine and bleach.<\/p>\n

Certain foods with lots of \u201cnooks and crannies,\u201d like basil, cilantro, and various berries, are traditional culprits for the bug. <\/p>\n

The Florida Department of Health tracks Cyclospora cases, which usually reach a couple hundred cases each year. <\/p>\n

The latest update on Thursday showed 92 cases in the state, with just one case locally, in Gadsden County. That update did represent a 50-case spike from the week before. Georgia health officials are also tracking the disease. <\/a><\/p>\n

Rust said there\u2019s plenty of \u201cbackground noise\u201d with the data right now, but expects the increase in cases could be from \u201cspillover\u201d connected to the outbreak. <\/p>\n

Rust added that routine stool labs don\u2019t test for the parasite, so it\u2019s important to ask your doctor for specialized tests if you\u2019re showing symptoms.<\/p>\n

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