Source of diarrhea-causing parasite may be 'lettuce or salad greens,' Michigan health officials say

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said that a potential source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak is lettuce or salad greens. 

“Although we do not have a definite product identified as the source of the outbreak, we want to let Michiganders know what we have learned so far so they can take steps to protect their families. Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive of the MDHHS, said in a news release. 

According to the statement, cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines and causes watery diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Symptoms can take up to two weeks after exposure to develop. Typically, Michigan only records 40 to 50 cases of cyclosporiasis annually, but there have been 2,640 cases reported as of Monday. 

The MDHHS recommends: 

• Purchase whole heads: Buy whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed,
  bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
  Discard outer layers: Before preparation, throw away the outer two to three layers of leaves.
• Wash inner leaves: Thoroughly wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water.
• Prioritize cooking: For any greens that can be cooked, cooking to a temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit is the safest option, as the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.