The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging food consumers to take precautions when buying, preparing and eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
That includes washing even “prewashed” produce at grocery stores and food markets, due to cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease that has been spreading recently in the United States.
Although the health agency said it’s not “aware of any Georgia-specific outbreaks, clusters, or potential links to the outbreak” the illness—whose symptoms include “watery diarrhea and explosive bowel movements”—has sickened more than a thousand people in a number of states.
Here’s more from what DPH issued Tuesday:
“Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite – Cyclospora. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Treated water in the U.S. does not contain Cyclospora. Although domestically acquired cases occur in Georgia every year, typically most cyclosporiasis cases in the state are associated with international travel.
“Bloating, cramping, or loss of appetite can also occur. Most people with cyclosporiasis recover on their own; however, hospitalizations can occur when patients are dehydrated from diarrhea caused by the infection. The illness may last from a few days to over a month. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times. In extended cases, people are encouraged to check with their healthcare provider.”
Before handling raw fruits and vegetables, consumers are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water; wash produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking; scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons, with a clean produce brush; and refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked price within two hours.
For more about cyclosporiasis, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/index.html.
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