Harris County Public Health official: 'Just wash the fruits and vegetables' to avoid common summertime illness

An increase in infections caused by an intestinal parasite has caused health officials in Harris and Fort Bend counties to urge the public to be diligent about washing fruits, vegetables and their hands. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically increase between April and August, and are associated with consumption of fresh produce. 

Individuals can become infected by an intestinal parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a non-life-threatening, non-contagious illness, from consuming contaminated food and water, the Harris County Public Health Department reported in a July 7 press release. Cases have been linked to, but not limited to, "fresh produce, including fresh cilantro, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce," the release states. Most people recover fully, but individuals with compromised immune systems, the elderly and infants may become more ill and possibly require hospitalization, according to the release. 

Symptoms typically appear in two to 14 days, and usually include stomach cramps, pain, bloating, gas, nausea and vomiting, and "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements," the release states. Loss of appetite, weight loss, and flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, and fever may also occur. Untreated, the illness can last a month or longer, with symptoms abating for a while then returning. Some people can become infected but not have any symptoms, according to the release. 

Dr. Ericka Brown, Deputy Local Health Authority for Harris County Public Health, told Houston Public Media in a July 10 interview that rinsing all raw fruits and vegetable for at least 20 seconds is the best way to avoid cyclosporiasis. Additional precautions include washing hands with soap and water for 30 seconds and cooking raw vegetables to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, the report states.

Brown said in the interview that the cases are possibly linked to gatherings in the affected area, and that local health officials are working with the state health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct contact tracing to determine if there is a wider connection. 

However, it's likely the investigation won't be able to determine a specific cause or event for the increase in cases, Brown said in the interview.

"It’s just very, very common during the summer time," she said. "We’ll see if... the data leads us to something specific, but if not, just wash the fruits and vegetables."