I feel a little better about farmers markets because we have a relationship with the farmers we buy our local produce from but it’s certainly no guarantee.
From what I’ve read it sounds like cyclospora is dependent on the human digestive system to complete its lifecycle. A water supply contaminated with human poop could contaminate fresh produce, or a farm worker who is infected and passes along the parasite.
It can be picked up from swimming and accidentally swallowing contaminated water. And pools are not necessarily safer because chlorine doesn’t kill it. (Wonder how it does in salt water?)
Cyclosporiasis spreads through the fecal-oral route — germs from contaminated poop (feces) get into your mouth. This may happen through:
Contaminated water: This may include drinking untreated water or accidentally swallowing contaminated swimming water (for example, swimming pools, hot tubs or lakes). C. cayetanensis can survive chlorinated pool water for a long time.
Contaminated foods: There have been links between some kinds of fresh produce and cyclosporiasis outbreaks. It may occur if you use contaminated water to grow or wash produce. Using poop to fertilize produce is also a risk.
Here in AZ, it’s been reported in the local news that there are some cases here. For the time being, we’re no longer eating any berries and skipping anything with raw vegetables.
Stir fry is a really good idea. A fruit that can be good in a stir fry situation is pineapple.
No one (like farmers) desires to have this parasite affect their crop. That doesn’t mean they will won’t have it.
Doesn’t seem to be a peep from anyone like the CDC or higher ups who could push for more to find the culprit in this process.
And it’s Midwest prime garden/produce season - just like we get produce from other states I’m guessing other states get Midwest produce. (I say Midwest because Michigan/Ohio are two of the hardest states being hit with the parasite)
This would be a lot easier to deal with in the winter, when I typically don’t buy a lot of berries etc. And I cook or roast all my veggies.
In the summer I am realizing that I have a salad for lunch and often for dinner, several times a week. For now, I am sticking to roasting or sauteing veggies to go alongside a protein for dinner and looking into bean salads for lunch that use things like jarred roasted red peppers etc. Or else sauting and using cold.
First world problems I know, but super frustrating.
I may be sorry, but I admit it - we have been eating lots of raw fruits and veggies. We’re getting ready to go on vacation for 2 weeks so I won’t be buying more, and keep your fingers crossed we don’t get sick.
Today will be my first grocery shopping since learning about this. My usual haul is mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. I am not sure what I’ll buy.
I definitely won’t buy strawberries or raspberries both things I’d normally buy. I’m considering a farm stand that grows their own strawberries right behind the stand. They are expensive and go bad quick.
Cilantro will be the hardest as it’s a staple in my house. I haven’t had luck growing it but I might pick up some plants at the nursery. I already grow my own basil and parsley.
Our bunnies had a parsley field day here, still have cilantro and a lot of basil. I just tossed caution to the wind and made a big batch of gazpacho, because I love it and on,y make it in the summer. I washed well.
Hothouse grown tomatoes and hydroponic vegetables are on my shopping list. Also cherries and avocados because we love them. I’m considering getting an aeroponic herb tower because I’m sick of dealing with whiteflies and constant watering of my herb containers on the deck.
I do feel bad for the farmers / fresh produce industry. Many of us are adjusting buying patterns. Risks still tbd. Numbers are low. But… probably most cases not identified AND with long incubation period we’re probably only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
I’m not going to lie - we have been eating produce that maybe we shouldn’t (but we stopped eating cilantro & raspberries because that’s not a big deal for us). We’re being careful, but we’re aware that we are taking a risk. I won’t feed any to 5 year old GD, because I won’t take chances with her.
How did the contamination start? Still unclear. Broadly, there are two possibilities: contamination at the farm level (poor field sanitation, such as workers without adequate bathroom access, or contaminated irrigation water) or contamination during processing (typically via contaminated water at the packing or washing stage).
Which makes me feel better about buying local produce where I know the farmers and often have been to their farms.
and this part was helpful too:
This is how I’m thinking about it for my own family:
Avoid the bagged or boxed salads for now, until there’s more clarity on which products and sources are affected. Whole heads of lettuce you wash and cut yourself are the safer bet in the meantime.
Until a source is confirmed, lean toward produce with the least human handling. This means things you can peel, wash thoroughly, or cook. Produce with lots of bumps, grooves, and folds (leafy greens, berries) gives the parasite more places to hide, which makes it harder to wash off completely.
Washing helps, but it won’t fully remove the parasite. Water removes some of it, but not all, because it clings and hides in nooks and crannies. Cooking will kill it, though I recognize “just cook your salad” isn’t a satisfying solution.
Don’t know if anyone has mentioned yet but there is treatment. Most people recover on their own but if someone does not ( either continuing, recurrent or other health problems), then go to doctor. A round of sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra) should take care of it. If allergic to sulfa there are alternative treatments.
Lots of people bringing up good points and also tips for the general public and what they are or not comfortable with.
I’m choosing to not just worry about this for me and my family but for others in my community - the more it spreads in a community the more everyone in the community will be affected or higher the risk of contracting it ourselves.
The risks may not be high for you but others (and there are many) whose health is already compromised can be of higher risk. Those who are older and not engaged with all day news and internet surfing may be at higher risk of knowing if what they have or that it can be treated. It’s great that there is a treatment for it but also considering that it can linger for much longer than a common illness and with “messy” side effects - I WISH we could get to the root of it a little faster - which is not likely to happen with less resources for public health in communities.
After 2 weeks of gastric issues, my husband is finally feeling better!
It’s very difficult to figure out what happened. He has some health issues that could have caused his symptoms. He could have been sick. He could have had a reaction to his wegovy although his physician didn’t think that was it.
It is not clear what he ate and I didn’t. I didn’t get ill. It’s almost impossible to avoid any produce and since we had no idea this was going on, no idea what caused his stomach issues.
I don’t know that I agree. This is not generally spread like a norovirus is. One person in the home can get it and as long as people wash hands well it should not spread like a stomach bug.
Not talking about that type of spread. I’m talking about regional spread. 3600 cases in Michigan spread. Not from person to person. But from product to person without a known factor(s) that we can eradicate the cause.
feeling better!