Cyclospora outbreak: Why US doctors want people to avoid fresh produce

An outbreak in the US causing “explosive diarrhea” has left many hospitalised across 18 states, with Michigan being the worst-hit. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating more than 5,000 cases of a Cyclospora outbreak that causes an unpleasant gastrointestinal condition called Cyclosporiasis.
The reason for this massive nationwide outbreak has potentially come down to salad greens and lettuce, with many infectious disease specialists in the US urging people to avoid having fresh produce.
It can be contracted by consuming food, typically raw fruits and vegetables, or water contaminated with feces, according to the CDC.
Cyclosporiasis causes general symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. However, it differs from cases of food poisoning or intestinal ailments. This is because the Cyclospora infection symptoms tend to remain in the lower gastrointestinal tract and last for a long time, even weeks.
It is different from the most common cases of food poisoning due to E. coli and Salmonella, which make people vomit and feel nauseous, and eventually resolve within a few days.
But with Cyclospora, people don’t vomit and could experience watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea that, even though it resolves, returns.
Several infectious disease experts in the US have urged consumers to temporarily avoid some fresh produce, particularly leafy greens, herbs, and berries, until officials identify the source of contamination.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease physician at UCSF, told Bon Appetit that he advises cooking vegetables whenever possible, avoiding leafy greens if you are in an outbreak area, since washing alone doesn’t remove the Cyclospora parasite; it needs to be cooked. Choose thick-skinned fruits instead, such as oranges and avocados.
While investigations are underway, a Washington Post report has revealed that federal and state agencies are reviewing whether Taco Bell restaurants could be linked to a growing outbreak of the stomach parasite.
Since it is relatively rare, most standard testing panels for infections don’t include Cyclospora, Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious-disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Texas, told TIME.