Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: Avoid Organic Food For The Next 10 Days

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite and nearly always caused by fecal matter on produce - which means organic farms that use manure rather than modern scientific fertilizers.

The US Centers for Disease Control has reports of cyclospora in 31 states which have caused 86 hospitalizations though thankfully no deaths so far. Don't worry if someone in the family has it, it's not generally a person-to-person transmission the way cold or flu viruses are, it's nearly always food. The most likely foods are usually salad greens and products like cilantro. If your food has been contaminated and you get diarhea that doesn't feel like you can endure it, a doctor will treat you with the  trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole antibiotic.

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The smiling is for advertisements, you will definitely have a sad face if you get cyclosporiasis.

If you've been to a farmer's market or an organic food store, it's safest to just throw it away and wait 10 days before buying more.

While you're avoiding the risks of organic food from farmer's markets, accept science and stop buying raw milk as well.