For decades, Americans have been reminded to "eat their greens" as part of a healthy diet. For many, that now comes with the bizarre concern, "Is this safe?" The reason for safety concerns over lettuce and many other produce items is simple – cyclospora, a parasite spreading like wildfire across the country over the last few weeks.
Cyclospora is a parasite that spreads through raw produce and water that has been contaminated with human feces. The infection caused by the parasite, called cyclosporiasis, is responsible for a variety of symptoms, including what is being referred to as "explosive diarrhea" in addition to cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and vomiting.
In previous US outbreaks, cyclospora has been linked to fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas, lettuce, mesclun and salad mixes. Research has also connected past outbreaks to blackberries, watercress, mangoes and even vegetable trays.
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