Dr. Robert Redfield warned that Cyclospora can be difficult to remove from contaminated raw produce and advised consumers to favor locally grown fruits and vegetables when possible.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield is advising consumers to use caution with certain raw fruits and vegetables as health officials investigate thousands of Cyclospora infections across the United States.
The CDC has confirmed 10,468 domestically acquired cases in 47 states, along with 12,255 additional reported illnesses that have not yet been confirmed or investigated.
Delaware, Hawaii and Montana are the only states without confirmed cases. The federal agency has expanded its outbreak investigation to 15 states, including Arkansas and Missouri, while Michigan has reportedly experienced the greatest impact, with more than 12,200 cases and two deaths.
Redfield, who led the CDC during President Donald Trump’s first administration, said Cyclospora has been associated with produce such as blueberries, raspberries and snow peas.
“You have to get those vegetables that were contaminated with human fecal material. It’s not something we see a lot in the United States,” Redfield said during an appearance on NewsNation.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. Infection typically occurs after a person consumes food or water contaminated with fecal matter containing the parasite.
Redfield said consumers should be particularly careful when eating raw produce because the parasite can remain on food even after standard washing.
“The safest thing to do is get locally grown vegetables because the real risk is these internationally imported vegetables right now,” Redfield said.
He added that Cyclospora is especially difficult to remove once produce has been contaminated.
“If you wash your lettuce and you put it in a lettuce spinner and you have cyclospora in that lettuce, it’s still going to be there,” Redfield said.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite, fatigue and a low-grade fever. The illness can persist for several weeks without appropriate treatment.
Redfield said the infection can be treated with the correct medication.
“It’s actually susceptible to an antibiotic we call Septra or Bactrim,” Redfield said. “Rather than take two to four weeks to get better, you might get better in five to seven days.”
The CDC advises people experiencing symptoms to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and seek medical care when necessary. Consumers can also reduce risk by handling produce carefully, although ordinary washing may not eliminate Cyclospora from contaminated food.
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