According to what was stated by the news agency EFEThe United States is facing the largest outbreak of cyclosporiasis in years, a parasitic infection that causes watery and often explosive diarrhea; since since May 1the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCfor its acronym in English) counted 4 thousand cases.
According to the United States Department of Health, the epicenter is in Michiganthe most affected state, which exceeded 3 thousand cases in mid-July, so the Food and Drug Agency (FDAfor its acronym in English) investigates the origin of this intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite.
Faced with this scenario, the medical director of the FDA, Natasha Bagdasarianpointed out that the Cyclospora cayetanensis It is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water and is not transmitted directly from person to person, so thoroughly washing food reduces the risk. riskalthough the parasite is resistant.
This is because, until now, no one knows with certainty how it reaches the food and to waterbut in the US outbreaks are linked, again and again, to fresh products. Therefore, according to the CDC, it is very important to note that a person can become infected more than once by consuming different types of foods.
Consumers should avoid some fruits and vegetables
According to the Cleveland Clinica world-renowned academic medical center and nonprofit hospital, the lettuce appears recurrently in the investigation, although no grower or supplier has been confirmed as a source. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid leafy vegetables, such as spinachand herbs, such as cilantro.
Because the contagion is fecal-oral, it arises when eating food or drinking water contaminated with stoolincluding untreated water from swimming pools or wells. Therefore, it does not usually pass from person to person, since the parasite needs a week outside the body to become infectious. and Regular chemical disinfection is not enough to eliminate it.
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Since there is no vaccineIt is best to avoid food and water that may be contaminated. Therefore, for lettuce and leafy vegetableslike cilantro and basil, authorities advise buying them whole, instead of already washed bags, removing the outer layers and washing the rest. Although cooking them with hygiene is safer.
The CDC says that washing fruit and the vegetables leaf reduces the risk, but does not guarantee eliminating the parasite, which resists chemical disinfection. Such is the case of the raspberrieswhich are among the most difficult to clean, because the parasite hides in the cracks on its surface and not even freezing them guarantees elimination, according to the FDA.
Symptoms and diagnosis
According to what was reported by the television network Univisionfor diagnose cyclosporiasis requires an analysis of stool with a specific test that is not routine, so the doctor must order it andSometimes several samples are needed, since the disease usually manifests itself a week after infection.
Authorities mention that the most common sign is a diarrhea watery, frequent and sometimes explosivewhich comes and goes in batches and can cause lack of appetite, slimmingbloating, nausea and fatigue. However, it is not usually mortalgiven that of the last 2 thousand cases, only 200 ended hospitalized and none died.