What Arizona families should know about cyclospora
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Tomatoes at a grocery store in Washington, D.C.. Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images
Investigators still haven't identified a common contamination source for the cyclosporiasis outbreak gripping the nation, limiting the guidance health officials can give consumers.
The big picture: Fresh produce remains the focus of investigators, with lettuce and other ingredients pulled from some Taco Bell restaurants also under scrutiny.
- And local doctors are warning Phoenix parents that splash pads and public pools may be superspreader sites.
Driving the news: Thousands of cases of cyclosporiasis — an illness that can cause "explosive" or "watery" diarrhea — have hit at least 34 states, including Arizona, this summer, according to the CDC and state health data.
- No deaths have been reported.
Zoom in: The state has reported 19 cases, which isn't considered an outbreak, The Arizona Republic reported.
- It's a far cry from New York, Ohio, Illinois and Florida, where counts are in the hundreds, and Michigan, which has recorded upward of 3,000 cases.
Caveat: The surge of cases is outpacing testing labs' capacity, and the CDC expects case counts to rise as it gets more data.
How it works: The disease is caused by a parasite, which can be found in human waste and feces.
- Symptoms usually appear about a week after consuming contaminated food or drink.
- It's not transmitted directly from person to person.
Threat level: While most medical guidance has been to avoid or very carefully wash all produce, Rucha Shah, a gastroenterologist with HonorHealth, told Arizona's Family that parents should also stay vigilant at public pools and water parks.
- "Those are hotbeds for feces," she said, and the cyclospora parasite is chlorine-resistant.
Flashback: Past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have stemmed from people eating raspberries, basil, salad mixes, cilantro, berry and fruit mixes, lettuce, and snap peas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- The parasite spreads when contaminated water is used to grow, clean, or wash vegetables and fruits, per the CDC. This often happens during the agricultural supply chain.
The bottom line: Wash your produce thoroughly and maybe stay out of public pools until health experts learn more.