Katherine Allen
UF/IFAS Extension
Have you eaten salad lately? With the recall notices for lettuce, I have seen and heard a reluctance to eat salad from friends and family. So, how do we protect ourselves from a food-borne illness? Good food handling is ALWAYS important whether at home or in a restaurant. Let’s talk a little about what has been happening.
What is it? We don’t hear as much about parasites as we do about bacteria and viruses. So what caused this most recent outbreak from product distributed by Taylor Farms in 20 states (including Florida), with 11,458 illnesses (as of Aug. 27)? The intestinal illness, cyclosporiasis, has been called the “traveler’s diarrhea” due to its rampant nature in other parts of the world. In the case of the Cyclospora outbreak here in the U.S., it is a single-celled parasite (a worm or larva needing a host to survive). Freezing or cooking kills parasites. Unfortunately, we don’t cook lettuce. The actual organism, Cyclospora cayetanensis, is the only species that causes illness in humans.
What makes this parasite so interesting is that it cannot yet be reliably cultured in a lab, which makes it extremely challenging to understand this microorganism. In addition, it has a complex life cycle, which makes it hard for scientists to study. Cyclospora can resist disinfectants and can survive outside the host for extended periods of time.
What are the symptoms? Because Cyclospora multiplies in the small intestine, symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin about one week after consuming contaminated food or water, although timing can vary. Common symptoms include frequent and watery diarrhea, bloating, increased gas, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Other symptoms may include a low-grade fever, headache, vomiting and body aches. Most healthy people recover with appropriate treatment, but symptoms can last for several weeks to a month if left untreated. Without treatment, Cyclospora can lead to dehydration and severe complications that may require higher levels of care. Symptoms may seem to go away and then relapse. At-risk (very old or very young) or immunocompromised individuals may experience a longer and more severe illness and may require close medical attention. It is important to stay hydrated if you have symptoms.
Where does it come from? Humans become infected by consuming contaminated food (ie., fresh produce) or water. It is not typically spread directly from one person to another because the parasite must mature in the environment before it becomes infectious. Therefore, the closer to harvest that you can purchase and eat fresh products, the less likely it is to transmit the infection.
When fruit and veggie production is out of season in Florida, we import products from other countries to meet demand. Some of these countries may not adhere to adequate sanitary practices and instead irrigate crops with untreated water or not adhere to hygienic practices. Look for a “country of origin” label on the package, which identifies where a product was manufactured. Florida has its own label, called Fresh from Florida.
Recommendations include the following:
• Buy local. Look for country-of-origin labeling or Fresh From Florida stickers.
• Wash and sanitize the inside of the refrigerator, countertops and cutting boards (use 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of warm water).
• Wash hands before prepping or eating food.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables with a produce brush under cool, running water.
• Cut away damaged or bruised areas after washing and before cooking.
• Store cut or cooked fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator within two hours.
• Store fruits and veggies in the fridge above meat and seafood.
• Ask the doctor to test you for Cyclospora.
Although these good handling practices will decrease the likelihood of cyclosporiasis, the only way to prevent it is to avoid eating or drinking contaminated products.