Kansas is one of 11 states, at last count, where nearly 300 people have been hit by a mysterious stomach bug that surprised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These people have been diagnosed with a cyclospora infection, which comes from a parasite most often found in tropical or subtropical countries. According to the Associated Press, this type of infection has been linked to imported fresh produce in the past.
The stomach bug causes diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms. At least 18 people have been hospitalized since the illnesses started in June.
As the amount of food imports into this country increases, more infections of this type are likely to occur.
In January 2011, President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration calls this “the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years.” No doubt some of the regulations to come will be a pain to deal with, but outbreaks like this show the importance of sound policies for the 21st century.
Meanwhile, we need to use common sense and protect ourselves as best we can. As a CDC spokesman reportedly told Time, “The best way to prevent infection is to avoid the food causing it, but since we don’t know what that is yet, as always, people should make sure they wash any fresh food to reduce risk.”