Your answers: Are Michiganders eating lettuce?
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Romaine lettuce hearts. Photo: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
We asked last week what steps Axios Detroit readers are taking to avoid the diarrhea-inducing cyclosporiasis illness that's hit more than 10,000 Michiganders.
The latest: The state health department recommends not buying pre-cut lettuce and greens, and washing anything you buy thoroughly.
- Lettuce is the prime suspect, but other fresh produce hasn't been entirely ruled out.
Zoom in: Cyclosporiasis causes watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, per the Cleveland Clinic. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, fatigue and stomach cramps.
- Infections range from mild to severe. Treated, they mostly last around a week or two. If untreated, they can last a month or longer.
As cases continue to climb, some of you are going about your usual business, while others are avoiding lettuce entirely or using produce from your gardens.
- Here's what some of you said, edited for length and clarity:
Anne B.M.: "I happen to be growing my own kale, romaine and arugula this year! What a fortunate happenstance!!"
Michael H.: "I have decided to 'fast' from lettuce until it's safe to eat it again. No use risking my life by washing the leaves; just don't eat it for now!"
Mary: "Avoiding lettuce but still eating veggies (mostly cooked/steamed)."
Pam W.: "No lettuce for us since the report. We are eating grapes, which I wash, and melon, which we wash and peel. I have never purchased pre-prepared chopped fruits for fear of contamination, and I have never purchased pre-chopped bagged lettuce or greens of any kind.
- "I am avoiding salad bars, although that is one of my favorite treats when we go out."
Andrea B.: "I am NOT avoiding lettuce. Google topopo salad. That's been my meal of choice several times in this mess."
Mark Y.: "No bagged produce. No lettuce, period. No raspberries. Only locally grown produce."
Renee B.: "I purchase fresh veggies (usually from a farmers market), including full heads of lettuce, and wash thoroughly before storing them in the fridge prior to eating.
- "Honestly, I find that I'm enjoying the salads I make at home much more now that I use fresh heads of lettuce. I also avoid uncooked fresh veggies when eating out."