The parasite that causes diarrhea spreads. Should you stop eating salad?

You could call it “producing paranoia.” Videos on social media showed people disinfecting their refrigerators. Taking the oath of authority And discuss whether it is safe Eat coriander.

It’s the Internet’s frantic but predictable response to the increase in cases of the diarrhea-causing parasite that is spreading rapidly across the United States, as health officials investigate whether… Vegetable salad May contribute to the spread of disease.

As of Tuesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had received reports of 1,645 laboratory-confirmed local cases of cyclosporiosis It is investigating an additional 5,100 reports. Cases of “explosive diarrhea parasite” have appeared. It has been reported in 34 stateswith Michigan among the hardest-hit areas.

Gastrointestinal illness is caused by Cyclospora, a foodborne pathogen that is difficult to trace but has historically been linked to fresh produce such as berries and lettuce. To date, no specific food, brand, farmer or supplier has been conclusively identified as the source of the outbreak.

This did not stop people from Panicover-sharing and creating a host of dark memes. With any health scare, bad advice and myths spread as quickly as the actual disease. So we turned to health care experts to get the facts.

“I’m not necessarily suggesting that people avoid products,” he said. Dr. John Openshawan infectious disease physician and medical epidemiologist at Stanford University. “Although the number of people involved in the current outbreak or outbreaks appears large, the overall risk remains very low for most people.”

What is cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis causes it Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite It is transmitted through feces that infect the small intestine. According to infectious disease experts at Johns Hopkins University, it takes… Only a few microscopic Cyclospora eggs To hijack your digestive system.

In the United States, previous Cyclospora outbreaks have often been associated with… Fresh productsincluding packaged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, berries, peas, and green onions. Any food that is contaminated or eaten raw can theoretically transmit Cyclospora.

Unlike some stomach diseases, such as norovirus, cyclosporiasis is unlikely to spread directly from one person to another. After the parasite leaves the body of the infected person, it generally needs no less than this From one to two weeks in the environment before becoming infectious.

What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?

the The most common symptom is watery diarrhea This can be frequent and, according to the CDC, occasionallyexplosive“Other unpleasant symptoms can include stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, gas, fatigue, vomiting, and low-grade fever.

Unlike deadly food-borne diseases such as listeria or E. coli, cyclosporiosis is not usually life-threatening. The biggest danger now during the hot summer months is dehydration. “People who are sick and having trouble staying hydrated should talk to a doctor,” Openshaw said.

Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure to the virus, although they can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks or more afterward. Dr. Timothy HenrichIt’s common for people to experience “waxing and waning symptoms” over a period of weeks to months, said the professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Others infected may have minor symptoms or even no symptoms, he said.

Because symptoms can come and go, it’s important to get tested for cyclosporasis and talk with a doctor about treatment, which is generally well-tolerated and “may reduce the chances of further local fecal-oral spread,” Heinrich said.

How high are the risks?

While cases of cyclosporiasis occur throughout much of the country, the highest concentration of outbreaks is in a small group of states, mostly in the Midwest. Jessica SteyerThe risk remains low outside those areas, said the public health scientist and CEO of Unbiased Science.

“However, until the specific source of the outbreak is identified, people outside those states who are pregnant or immunocompromised may consider using caution,” Steyer said.

The CDC says just that 9% of people infected with the parasite require hospitalizationBut the risk of severe illness and permanent complications is much higher for older adults, young children and others with weakened immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday that it has received no reports of deaths linked to the outbreak.

How can you reduce your risks?

So far, only lettuce and salad greens have emerged as potential sources The CDC says there is no specific The brand, farmer, supplier, restaurant or grocery store is selected.

As of Tuesday, there was There is no national recommendation for throwing away lettuce. However, Michigan health officials issued more specific guidance on lettuce during the current investigation, including purchasing whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-packaged lettuce or pre-shredded salad bunches (and then discarding the outer three layers of leaves) and cooking leafy greens when practical.

Although washing fresh produce may reduce your exposure to Cyclospora and other foodborne contaminants, it does not guarantee complete removal of the parasite.

“Washing produce does not significantly reduce the risk of Cyclospora, and heat remains the gold standard for risk reduction,” Steyer said. Cooking vegetables to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher is the only surefire way to kill the parasite.

Experts also warn against using soap, bleach or household disinfectants on the products. Fruits and vegetables can absorb soap and detergents, which can make you sick, the CDC says Routine chemical disinfection is unlikely to kill Cyclospora.

Household or countertop items such as a UV washer, ultrasonic cleaner, or ozone machine will not make contaminated foods safe for consumption either. Steyer emphasized that none of these methods have sufficient real-world evidence to support their use in killing the parasite.

What should you do if you have symptoms?

Experts advise contacting your healthcare provider if you have persistent watery diarrhea, especially if it is severe, lasts more than a week, or goes away and then comes back. Drinking fluids is also important because prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration.

Cyclospora is required to be diagnosed Special laboratory testsThe parasite is not included in routine stool testing. The CDC says patients sometimes need to provide multiple samples because Cyclospora can be difficult to detect.

Standard treatment is a combination of prescription antibiotics Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazolewhich is commonly sold under the brand names Bactrim and Septra. People who are allergic to sulfa drugs should discuss other options with a medical professional.

When will we know the source of the outbreak?

It can take weeks or longer to pinpoint the source of an outbreak, because investigators must interview people infected with the parasite, compare what they eat and then trace the foods through the supply chain. For Cyclospora, this process is particularly difficult because symptoms often begin days after exposure, and people may not remember exactly what they ingested.

It also confronted public health agencies Staff reductions and funding cuts In recent years, it has become difficult to quickly identify outbreaks and tell people which foods to avoid. Recent study It found that states with greater support from the CDC reported more outbreaks than those without those programs, suggesting that federal funding improves detection and management.

“Tracing any outbreak like this requires trained staff and resources — any reduction in those elements of the public health response would hamper efforts to trace an outbreak to a specific food item and determine how pathogens like Cyclospora get into the food supply,” Openshaw said.