By Amberli Emery
Summer is one of my favorite times of year. Gardens are overflowing, farmers markets are buzzing, and fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables are finally back on the table.
Unfortunately, summer also brings the return of a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis, which has already sickened thousands of people across multiple states.
Cyclospora is most commonly associated with imported fresh produce, including raspberries, leafy greens, cilantro, basil, and other herbs. Because it’s invisible to the naked eye, even the freshest-looking produce can carry it.
One simple way to reduce your exposure is to buy locally sourced produce whenever possible. While no food source is completely risk-free, locally grown fruits and vegetables typically travel a much shorter distance from farm to table, allowing you to know where your food comes from and often giving you the opportunity to ask growers directly about their growing and handling practices. Supporting local farmers not only strengthens our communities, but it can also provide greater transparency about the food on your family’s table.
Symptoms may include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Bloating
Symptoms can last for days, or even weeks if left untreated.
How to Protect Yourself
The simplest precautions are often the most effective.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before preparing food and before eating.
- Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean, running water. Avoid soaking produce in a sink or bowl, where contaminants can remain in the water.
- Remove bruised or damaged portions of fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Use a clean produce brush on firm produce like melons, cucumbers, potatoes, and squash.
- Separate lettuce, spinach, basil, cilantro, and other leafy greens, washing each leaf individually.
- For delicate berries like raspberries, gently rinse under running water or briefly swish them in a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
While proper washing can reduce contamination, it cannot guarantee complete removal of Cyclospora. Cooking foods to at least 158°F (70°C) remains the most reliable way to destroy the parasite.
Natural Ways to Support Recovery
If you do become ill, there are several natural ways to support your body while seeking appropriate medical care.
- Stay hydrated. Diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. Water, homemade bone broth, herbal teas, and electrolyte solutions can help replace lost fluids.
- Eat easy-to-digest foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, plain potatoes, and cooked vegetables while your digestive system heals.
- Probiotic-rich foods, including yogurt with live cultures, kefir, or naturally fermented vegetables, may help restore healthy gut bacteria after diarrhea. These support recovery but are not a treatment for the parasite itself.
- Fresh ginger tea may help calm nausea and soothe the stomach.
- Peppermint tea can provide relief from mild digestive cramping for some people.
- Chamomile tea has long been used to help soothe digestive discomfort and promote relaxation.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Cyclospora infections often require prescription antibiotics to completely eliminate the parasite.
If diarrhea lasts more than a couple of days, becomes severe, or you develop signs of dehydration such as dizziness, confusion, extreme thirst, or very little urination, seek medical attention promptly.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about creating fear, it’s about making informed choices. Wash your produce, practice good hand hygiene, and whenever you can, support your local farmers, making sure fewer opportunities for contamination occur.
Not only are you investing in your community, but you’re also shortening the journey from the field to your family’s table.
A little extra care today can help keep your summer filled with memories, not stomach aches.
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