A former Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr Robert Redfield, has raised the alarm regarding the cyclosporiasis outbreak in other fruits and vegetables beyond lettuce as cases continue to increase across the country.
More than 22,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed nationwide in the U.S. and two people have been confirmed dead in Michigan after the outbreak.
Though the outbreak’s full source has not been determined yet, experts have previously warned that lettuce grown in Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms might be a source of the outbreak. However, Dr Robert has raised the alarm about fruits as well, stating that the parasite was also found in blueberries, raspberries and snow peas.
He said: “You have to get those vegetables that were contaminated with human fecal material. And so it’s not something we see a lot in the United States.”
Dr Robert said that parasites are very hard to wash-off and advised the public to use locally grown vegetables instead of those internationally imported.
He added: “The only way you get cyclosporiasis is if you have to eat vegetables.” Public health authorities have also linked Cyclospora infections to contaminated fruits, herbs and other fresh produce.
He also assured cyclosporiasis patients that the illness is treatable. Redfield said patients should consult a healthcare provider about appropriate treatment, noting that antibiotics such as Bactrim or Septra are commonly used.
