Parasite in Berries and Salad Greens Sickens People in 17 States This Summer

Cyclospora shows up in raw fruits and vegetables almost every summer, and this year it's already made people sick in 17 states. The parasite spreads when produce is exposed to contaminated water, and once someone eats it, the parasite gets into the intestine.

"They invade the intestine, causing diarrhea, which can be watery, cause abdominal cramps, and, and may last for several weeks," said Dr. Amesh Adalja with the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The CDC counted 145 cases and 20 hospitalizations between May 1 and June 16, though no deaths. Investigators haven't traced the outbreak back to one specific source yet, and Adalja said there could be more than one place it's coming from.

Washing produce won't get rid of the parasite entirely, but it does lower the risk. Health officials recommend rinsing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them, and scrubbing firmer produce like melons and cucumbers with a clean brush. Any bruised or damaged spots should be cut away before preparing food, and cooking produce can cut the risk down further. Anything that's been cut, peeled or cooked should go in the fridge within two hours.

"The best thing you can do is be judicious about where you're getting your produce from, washing it as best you can, and then being on the alert for any symptoms that occur," Adalja said.