What you need to know about the Cyclospora outbreak
Be cautious when purchasing fresh produce! The microscopic parasite, Cyclospora, has had an increasing number of reports since our last update. There's been reports across at least 34 states, including about 500 cases in the state of New York. Luckily none have been confirmed thus far in the Capital Region.
This parasite causes unwelcome digestive issues, including diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and in some cases a low grade fever. While the source of the outbreak hasn't been identified yet, we've seen zero reports of deaths related to the parasite according to health officials.
The New York State Department of Health gave a recent update. "The Department continues to investigate cases to determine possible sources of exposure and is working closely with our partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and local health departments. There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking all cases."
The DOH recommends New Yorkers thoroughly wash all fresh produce, including herbs, fruits, and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, and cooking. Heating your produce to 158°F or higher will also kill the Cyclospora parasite.
According to the Department of Health, Cyclospora is not transmitted from person to person, but through food and water that's contaminated. Without antibiotics, the Center for Disease Control says symptoms can last from a few days to over a month, and can even relapse.
Health officials warn against purchasing pre-bagged vegetables, and instead buying items like a full head of lettuce. For fruits and vegetables with smaller crevices, experts recommend cooking them and to avoid eating them raw.
There's no need to avoid produce altogether, just make sure you take a few extra precautions before consuming.
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