The joy of summer often includes fresh salads and vibrant produce, but recent events have cast a shadow over these simple pleasures. A cyclospora outbreak has been sweeping across the United States, raising concerns about food safety and public health. This parasite, which causes cyclosporiasis has been linked to fresh produce, prompting health authorities to issue warnings and consumers to exercise caution.
The outbreak, first detected in May, has now spread to 34 states with 1,645 confirmed cases reported by the CDC. However, local health authorities have reported higher numbers, with 5,000 cases in Michigan alone and 517 cases across New York state. The source of the outbreak remains under investigation, but fresh produce has been identified as the likely culprit.
The Cyclospora Parasite: Understanding the Threat
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis an intestinal illness characterized by stomach cramping and watery diarrhea. Unlike some other stomach bugs, cyclospora is not immediately infectious when shed in stool. The parasite needs time in the environment to mature before it can infect someone else, making direct person-to-person transmission less common.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Chief Medical Officer for Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, emphasizes the importance of understanding how cyclospora spreads. “One important distinction is that Cyclospora is not immediately infectious when it is shed in stool,” Daskalakis tells The Advocate. “The parasite needs time in the environment to mature before it can infect someone else.”
Linked to Fresh Produce
The outbreak has been linked to fresh produce contaminated by cyclospora, though an exact source has not been confirmed. On July 16, the FDA urged people not to eat shredded lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Investigations are ongoing, with Taylor Farms identified as a potential source of the contaminated lettuce.
Protecting Yourself: Best Practices for Produce Safety
In light of the outbreak, consumers are seeking ways to protect themselves and their families. While there is no foolproof way to completely eliminate cyclospora from contaminated produce, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Dr. Daskalakis recommends thoroughly rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables before cutting, eating, or cooking them to minimize spread.
For those taking extra precautions, it may be wise to avoid berries, shredded lettuce, salad greens, fresh herbs, and other uncooked leafy greens, as these have been linked to prior outbreaks of cyclospora. Pre-cut vegetables or packaged greens should also be rewashed and rinsed if you are considering eating them. Cooking your vegetables can also help, as cyclospora dies at temperatures of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Hygiene Practices for Food Service Workers
Given that the food service industry is a significant employer of LGBTQ+ individuals, many queer and trans people interact with a high volume of fresh produce. Dr. Daskalakis advises that anyone who grows, handles, transports, sells, or prepares fresh produce should be especially diligent about hygiene and food-safety practices. This includes washing hands thoroughly after using the restroom, staying home when experiencing diarrheal illness, using safe water sources, and taking steps to prevent contamination of produce by human waste.
Addressing Concerns About Sexual Transmission
There has been increased concern, especially among queer people, about whether cyclosporiasis can spread from person-to-person through sex, particularly if it involves the mouth and anus. Dr. Daskalakis addresses this concern, stating that while cyclosporiasis is not generally considered a sexually transmitted infection, good hygiene practices are still crucial. “Any activity that involves exposure to feces (poop) can potentially increase the risk of enteric infections,” he says. “Good hygiene practices, including washing hands and the genital and anal area before and after sex, and avoiding sex when either partner has diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms, are good precautions for reducing exposure to a range of these infections.”
