BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – If you are loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables this summer, state health officials have a warning about a microscopic parasite on the rise.
Health officials say there’s no need to stop eating your favorite summer fruits and veggies. But they do want you to be aware of the risks. It’s normal to see these cases climb during the summer months, and while North Dakota’s numbers are still much lower than other states, health teams are keeping a very close eye on the data.
Summer is the prime season for fresh produce, but state health officials say a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora has taken the spotlight this season.
“Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite called Cyclospora,” said Samantha Janecek, surveillance coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. “It happens to people when they ingest foods or waters that might be contaminated with the parasite.”
So far, North Dakota has recorded 10 cases of the illness this summer. That is double the five-year average of four to five cases. She said her team is tracking these cases to spot potential outbreaks.
“I think it’s important to remember that we are seeing much lower case counts than a lot of other states are,” said Janecek. “It’s very normal for cyclosporiasis cases to increase in the summer. That’s when we get pretty much all of our cases in North Dakota.”
Despite the individual cases in the state, there are no products, such as cabbage or tomatoes, that the state is tracking that contain the parasite.
Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and loss of appetite. While washing hands and thoroughly rinsing produce with a firm brush is recommended, sometimes water alone isn’t enough to remove the parasite.
Health officials say cooking your vegetables will kill the parasite.
If someone suspects they may have the illness, they should go to their doctor. If not treated, cyclosporiasis may last from a few days to over a month. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times.
The expert we talked with stressed that there is no need to avoid eating fresh produce. People need to take precautions before consuming them.
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