Health officials in Michigan said lettuce or salad greens are a potential source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak that’s been reported in at least 34 states. Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that can cause “explosive” diarrhea. As of Monday, 2,640 cases have been reported in Michigan alone.
However, investigators haven’t ruled out other food items, and they haven’t identified a specific type of produce, grower, or supplier as the source.
“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more,” Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, said in a statement.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to other produce, including raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce. Still, it’s unclear how cyclospora, the microscopic parasite that’s affecting humans, gets into food and water.
Aside from watery diarrhea and explosive bowel movements, symptoms of the infection can include loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
The CDC said more than 141 people have been hospitalized for the infection across the United States. Over 5,100 cases still require further analysis to confirm whether they are cyclosporiasis.
The CDC has recommendations for preventing the spread of the parasite infection, including washing hands with soap and water before handling any raw fruits and vegetables.
Produce should then be washed thoroughly, even if it’s labeled as pre-washed, with a clean brush. The CDC also encourages cutting away at any damaged or bruised areas before eating fruits and vegetables. The produce should then be refrigerated as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of washing.
Routine sanitization of food or water is unlikely to kill the parasite. However, health officials in Michigan recommend cooking produce when possible, since heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora.
In addition, peeling produce can reduce the risk of infection because parasites can live on their outer surfaces.
