There is a nasty little bug making the rounds, and it does exactly what you think it does. It ruins lives. Specifically, from the bathroom floor.
Federal health officials are sounding the alarm again. Wash your damn veggies. The CDC has already clocked 1,645 confirmed cases of Cyclospora across 34 states. It has sent 141 people to the hospital. None of these people traveled abroad recently. They caught this misery right here at home, likely at the local salad bar.
Cyclosporiasis is a fancy name for a brutal reality. It is food poisoning triggered by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. How does it spread? You eat food or drink water contaminated with feces. Yes, poop.
Investigators are still hunting for the exact culprit behind this latest spike. Historically, the parasite hitches a ride on fresh produce irrigated with contaminated water. The usual suspects are well-known. We are talking about raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions, snow peas, and bagged salad mixes. Right now, Michigan health officials have their sights set on lettuce.
So, how do you protect yourself? Start with the basics. Wash your hands. Do it after using the restroom and before touching food. When dealing with leafy herbs like cilantro or basil, pull the leaves apart. For green onions, chop off the roots, peel back the outer skin, and scrub them under running water. Some experts swear by a warm water and vinegar bath to kill the bug.
If you are truly paranoid, there is an easy out. Buy frozen. Or cook your veggies. The heat kills the parasite, and the freezing process keeps it at bay. Otherwise, you are playing Russian roulette with your digestive tract.
