Blueberries and raspberries may be contaminated with a parasite that causes 'explosive diarrhea', which has already affected thousands of people in the US.

The parasite, which is spreading rapidly and has already infected thousands of people in the United States, can be found not only in lettuce, as previously reported, but also in other fruits and vegetables. This was stated by former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, who writes Daily Mail.

The cyclosporia outbreak was initially linked to shredded lettuce sold at Taco Bell and other retailers. However, new sources of contamination are still being investigated.

Redfield reported that the suspect salad has already been removed from stores. However, outbreaks involving parsley and cilantro have been reported, particularly in North Carolina.

On the subject: 'Explosive diarrhea' has now been reported in 31 states: What is known about the cyclosporiasis outbreak and how to protect yourself from infection

“You can only become infected with cyclosporiasis through vegetables contaminated with human feces,” he noted.

According to him, the most common sources are lettuce, cilantro, and parsley, but cases of infection have also been recorded from blueberries, raspberries, and sweet peas.

Redfield emphasized that over the past ten years, most such outbreaks have been linked to imported products.

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the list of states affected by the outbreak linked to Taylor Farms salad, imported from Mexico and sold at Taco Bell and other stores. The list now includes 15 states.

The search for the source was complicated by the fact that laboratory tests of the salad gave false positive results.

Redfield's statement came after authorities in Michigan, which has the highest number of cases, expanded the list of products that could be linked to the infection.

In an alert issued last month, local health authorities reported tracking thousands of cases and had already recorded two deaths. Lettuce and other leafy vegetables were considered a likely source.

However, authorities have not ruled out that raspberries, sweet peas, green onions, cilantro, and basil may be linked to the infection.

North Carolina said its cyclosporiasis outbreak, unrelated to the Taco Bell outbreak, may have been caused by contaminated leafy greens, basil or cilantro.

Last month, frozen blueberries were recalled from Publix stores in Florida and Georgia after they were linked to an E. coli outbreak, which sickened 12 people and hospitalized four. The blueberries were grown in Chile.

Blueberries were already involved in the investigation of a cyclosporiasis outbreak in Canada back in 1996. At that time, the infection was linked to a strawberry dessert that included not only blueberries but also raspberries. It was later determined that the cause was contaminated raspberries imported from Guatemala.

Meanwhile, experts are monitoring a separate salmonella outbreak linked to Chipotle. 345 people in 27 states have fallen ill. The source is believed to be jalapeño peppers imported from Mexico.

The Cyclospora parasite, which causes cyclosporosis, is introduced into food products through irrigation or processing with water contaminated with human feces. In such cases, it is extremely difficult to wash off.

Redfield urged caution when eating raw vegetables.

"The safest option now is to buy locally produced products, because the main risk is associated with imported products," the official stated.

He emphasized that infection only occurs through the consumption of food contaminated with human waste, adding that such cases are relatively rare in the United States.

Federal authorities have recorded six separate outbreaks of cyclosporiasis across the country.

The largest of these covers 15 states. Since last week, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina have been added to the list.

According to the CDC, 6,707 cases of infection have been laboratory-confirmed domestically. However, the agency acknowledges that the actual number of cases likely exceeds 22,000, with over 11,500 more cases under investigation.

On August 3, Michigan authorities reported the first two deaths related to the outbreak. Both had underlying health conditions that made them particularly vulnerable to severe dehydration.

The epidemic has hit Michigan and Ohio hardest. In Michigan alone, more than 11,200 cases and 193 hospitalizations were reported by the end of July. Nationwide, at least 517 people aged one to 98 years old are hospitalized.

Doctors note that the symptoms of cyclosporiasis can be extremely severe.

The disease causes frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms can last for weeks and often return after a temporary improvement.

Unlike norovirus or common food poisoning, the illness comes and goes: a person may feel better for a few days, after which the symptoms return with renewed vigor.

The causative agent, the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, is spread through food or water contaminated with human feces, most often when washing or watering fresh produce.

One of the main challenges during investigations remains the long incubation period—one to two weeks. This makes it difficult for people to remember what they ate, and for investigators to determine the source of infection.

In Michigan, health officials are calling hundreds of sick people to reconstruct their eating habits, sometimes using receipts from fast-food restaurants.

The CDC notes that it can take up to six weeks to establish a link between the disease and an outbreak.

Diagnosis is made using a standard test that detects parasite DNA in stool. Typically, one to three samples are required.

The infection can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

"The parasite is sensitive to a drug known as Septra or Bactrim. Instead of two to four weeks, recovery can take five to seven days," Redfield noted.

Without treatment, symptoms may persist for weeks or return again.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Doctors recommend thoroughly washing all fresh produce under running water, although this does not guarantee complete removal of the parasite. The only reliable way to kill it is by heating it at a temperature of at least 158 ​​degrees Fahrenheit (70°C).

Until the source of the infection is finally established, experts expect a further increase in the number of cases of infection.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Hundreds of cases and testing errors: Doctors still haven't found the cause of the explosive diarrhea outbreak in the US.

A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI after ChatGPT's medical advice nearly killed him.

To avoid paying $100,000 for liposuction, women inject themselves with a $95 Korean drug that kills fat cells.

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.