Summer is usually the best time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. But this year, a foodborne illness outbreak has many questioning whether their favorite summer produce is still safe to eat.
A national cyclosporiasis outbreak — tied to fresh produce served uncooked — has sickened thousands across the country, including in North and South Carolina, with case counts expected to rise.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora. Symptoms can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks or longer after a person is infected and often include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea and fatigue.
While investigators are working to confirm the source of the outbreak, experts recommend being thoughtful about which produce you buy and how you prepare it.
In the meantime, don’t panic.
“It’s not necessarily a case of avoiding fruits and vegetables, but being smarter,” said registered dietitian Kelly Homesley of Novant Health Bariatric Solutions - Elizabeth. “Shopping locally can lessen your chances of getting sick, but you should still take the necessary steps to clean your food appropriately.”
Here, Homesley offers advice on how to avoid getting sick, and what to do if you think you may be infected.
Get the best care for you and your family.
Is it safe to eat fresh produce during a cyclosporiasis outbreak?
As long as you cook it, you should be fine. Heating to 158 degrees internally is the only way to kill parasites. There’s no need to throw fruit away, but the parasite has been shown to be very sticky, so it sticks to all of the crevices, which makes it very difficult to clean off.
You can cook fruit in a pan with a little honey and lemon juice, and use it to sweeten oatmeal or yogurt. You can also make a pie or a cobbler with your fruit, or make a compote to add to your breakfast or a snack like cottage cheese.
How do you recommend washing fresh fruits and vegetables? Can soap kill cyclosporiasis?
While washing produce won't kill the parasite, it can help remove it. Vigorously scrubbing with a produce brush and peeling the skin can help remove the parasite and lessen your risk of getting sick.
I would not recommend using soap, because you might not rinse it all off. Fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb chemicals from soap. For lettuce, remove the first few layers of outer leaves, then take apart the head and wash every leaf. It’s safer to buy a head of lettuce than a bag.
While it may seem safe to cut and eat fruits like melon, you could spread a parasite from the outside of the fruit to the inside part you eat. So scrub the outside before cutting. Make sure you’re washing your hands and cutting board with soap and hot water.
Are some fruits and vegetables safer choices during the cyclosporiasis outbreak?
You have less of a chance of getting sick by shopping at your local farmers market, or growing vegetables yourself. Historically, the spread is often linked to produce imported from tropical climates. So you have a better chance of not getting it by eating locally grown produce.
When should diarrhea prompt a call to your doctor?
Anyone can become infected if they consume contaminated food. However, anyone who’s more prone to dehydration — like children, older adults and those with a compromised immune system — can be at greater risk of symptoms associated with severe diarrhea.
Dehydration is the biggest worry, so drinking fluids matters more when experiencing diarrhea. Signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, dry mouth and little to no urination. Antibiotics can help shorten the duration of cyclospora and its and symptoms.
Cyclospora explained: What the parasite does inside your body
When people hear the word “parasite,” they often wonder what happens after an infection occurs. We asked Aliza Hekman, physician assistant and medical director of infection prevention for the Novant Health Triad Region, to explain.
What happens after cyclospora enters your body?
When you ingest the parasite, it enters the digestive tract and infects cells lining the intestine, causing inflammation. The inflammation interferes with the body’s ability to absorb water normally, which leads to diarrhea.
Does the parasite stay in your body after symptoms have gone away?
No, the parasite does not stay alive inside you. It runs its course and dies, or is killed by (antibiotic) treatment. Basically, it will have a life cycle and die, and your immune system will help take care of it.
Can your body get rid of cyclospora on its own?
Yes. If you do nothing, it will typically resolve itself in two to three weeks. The only way to get rid of it faster is to take treatment for it, which will kill the parasite faster.
When should someone seek treatment, and what does that consist of?
Treatment for cyclosporiasis is a particular antibiotic called Bactrim. It works by blocking the parasite’s ability to make folate, which it needs to survive. It’s a pill you take twice daily for about a week. If you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis, make an appointment with your primary care provider, who can evaluate whether you need medication.
