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Experts Advise Public to Maintain Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Amidst Growing Cyclospora Outbreak

Health officials and food safety experts are urging the public not to avoid fresh produce despite a significant multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The parasite, which causes gastrointestinal issues such as watery diarrhea and abdominal pain, has been confirmed in over 4,000 cases across 41 states. While shredded iceberg lettuce was initially implicated, experts like Dr. David Relman and Dr. Donald Vinh suggest that the outbreak's scale reflects both the consolidation of food distribution networks and potential environmental factors like climate change. Experts emphasize that while washing produce under running water helps, cooking is the most reliable method to kill the parasite. Dr. Bhushan Bhole noted that the parasite can take weeks to become infectious after being passed in human feces, making it difficult to track. Despite the surge in cases, specialists like Dr. Meridan Zerner and Dr. David Michalik recommend continuing to eat a colorful variety of produce, as the health benefits far outweigh the risks. Consumers are advised to stay informed through CDC and FDA recalls to manage risks effectively.

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