What Kills Cyclospora? Food Safety Tips Amid Explosive Diarrhea Outbreaks
Summary
There is a seasonal increase in cyclospora infections causing severe diarrhea across many U.S. states. Health officials are investigating food sources, mainly fresh produce, to identify the cause and advise safety measures.Key Facts
- Cyclospora is a parasite that causes watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea that can last for weeks without treatment.
- The current outbreak affects over 30 states, with 843 confirmed cases and many more suspected as of early July.
- The infection is linked to fresh produce items eaten raw, like basil, cilantro, lettuce, berries, and green onions.
- The parasite needs 1-2 weeks in the environment to become infectious and does not spread directly from person to person.
- Symptoms usually appear about a week after eating contaminated food but can vary from 2 days to more than 2 weeks.
- Treatment typically involves the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).
- Tracking outbreaks is difficult due to the parasite’s long incubation and the disappearance of contaminated foods before symptoms appear.
- Major food chains are monitoring the situation but have not linked their ingredients to the outbreaks so far.
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