Texans may want to think twice before loading up on some of their favorite fresh produce this summer.
The United States is currently dealing with an outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes a collection of unpleasant symptoms including watery diarrhea, cramping, increased gas and nausea. Cyclospora is linked to a number of common fruits and vegetables, per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many of which are favorites of Texans each summer.
According to the FDA, foods previously associated with Cyclospora outbreaks include:
Per the CDC, simply washing and properly preparing these foods isn’t a guaranteed way to avoid Cyclospora, creating a scary luck-of-the-draw situation for Texans eating certain produce. A 2019 Cyclospora outbreak emerged from imported berries and herbs from Mexico, and in 2018, 400 people were infected with Cyclospora through tainted salads at McDonald’s.
New York is currently the nation’s leader in Cyclospora in the recent outbreak, with 31-to-80 cases reported from May 1 to June 16. But the Lone Star State still ranks near the top of the United States, joining Illinois as the only other state with more than 10 cases. Per the CDC, both Texas and Illinois have reported 11-to-30 cases of Cyclospora as of mid-June. The nationwide outbreak of 145 Cyclospora cases has led to 20 hospitalizations to date, though no deaths have been reported.
Cyclospora is often contracted through contaminated food or water, often ingested during travel outside the United States. The CDC has yet to identify the specific source of Cyclospora in the 145 reported cases nationwide. Antibiotics are the most effective way to combat Cyclospora, and without treatment, the unseemly symptoms can last for months.
Current individuals who contracted Cyclospora in recent months range from 17-to-89 years old. The CDC reported in June its “investigations to identify potential sources [of Cyclospora] are ongoing.”