Cases of diarrhea caused by the parasite cyclospora continue to climb, and with the threat of weekslong illness and no certainty about the source, it’s easy to wonder: Is there anything in the produce aisle that’s safe to eat?
The outbreak has risen to more than 3,000 cases in Michigan and Ohio, and linked to cases in West Virginia and Kentucky. Michigan health officials said their investigation suggests that lettuce or salad greens may be the culprit, but other foods can’t be ruled out — and no specific type, grower or supplier has been identified as the source.
Nationally, more than 7,000 cases have been confirmed or are under investigation, in 34 states since May 1, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s not clear which states are seeing cases connected to the large outbreak in the Midwest.
While Michigan health officials urge shoppers to be especially careful when purchasing and eating lettuce and greens this summer, federal health officials are emphasizing staying up to date on health alerts and using standard safety practices when washing food.
“Cyclospora is a very interesting organism. It’s a parasite, so it’s historically been linked to outbreaks in the past, usually foodborne outbreaks,” said Dr. Nuwan Gunawardhana, a hospital epidemiologist and physician who specializes in infectious diseases at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
