Cases of a parasitic illness continue to climb across the U.S., with nearly 100 cases in Florida as of July 11.
Cyclosporiasis is a disease that infects the small intestine and “usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. It is transmitted via contaminated food or water, direct contact with infected livestock or pets, and person-to-person via the fecal-oral route.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of July 14, 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported among people in the United States, and more than 5,100 cases require further analysis to confirm domestic acquisition. There have been 141 hospitalizations and no deaths. Sick people ranged in age from 2 to 95 years, with a median age of 44, and 56% were female.
Additionally, another 440 cases were reported among people who ate or drank food or water that made them sick while traveling outside the United States during the 14 days before they got sick. These cases were reported by 35 states.
One of the most common ways of contracting it is by eating contaminated raw produce. The parasite attaches to outer leaves and crevices, such as on lettuce, raspberries and fresh herbs. While you can kill the parasite by cooking your produce, can you also kill it by freezing it?
What is the origin of cyclosporiasis outbreak?
An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and state health officials has linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis.
The FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by these Taco Bell locations, the agencies said late Thursday, July 16. The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, linked it to lettuce supplied by California-based Taylor Farms.
It is unknown if this is also linked to the cases in Florida.
Can I kill cyclosporiasis by freezing fruit or vegetables?
No, freezing fresh produce is not a reliable way to kill cyclosporiasis. However, Bon Appetit reports that already-frozen produce is briefly blanched beforehand, which may reduce risk and add some measure of safety.
List of states with confirmed cases
As of July 10, the following states have confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, according to the CDC and local reporting.
Where are the cases of cyclosporiasis in Florida? See cases by county in Florida
There are 96 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.
What are symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Not all people infected with cyclosporiasis show symptoms, but in addition to diarrhea, it commonly causes:
Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.
The time between infection and becoming sick is typically about a week, but can be as short as two days or as long as two weeks. If left untreated, the illness can last over a month, and symptoms can clear before returning one or more times.
What’s the treatment for cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim, according to the CDC.
“If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, talk to your health care provider about other potential options,” the agency adds. “Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is also important for those experiencing diarrhea.”
How to prevent cyclosporiasis
According to the FDOH, the two main ways to prevent cyclosporiasis are to practice good hygiene and avoid contaminated food and drinks.
They note alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against it. Instead, washing hands at key times with soap and water can help prevent infections.
While the current groups of cases have not yet been linked to a single outbreak or common food item, health officials advised extra caution with foods implicated in past outbreaks. The following foods should be washed and scrubbed thoroughly with a brush or sponge.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Does freezing fruit and vegetables kill cyclosporiasis? See FL cases
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
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By Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
