As the last football fans leave the United States after the FIFA World Cup and the stadiums slowly empty, another story has been unfolding behind the scenes. Not on the pitch, but in the bathrooms. Across dozens of U.S. states, thousands of people have fallen ill due to the intestinal parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which causes the gastrointestinal infection cyclosporiasis. The symptoms are far from pleasant. They include watery, sometimes even “explosive”, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, bloating, and fatigue. The tricky part? Symptoms often don’t appear until one to two weeks after infection, making it difficult for health officials to trace the exact source of the outbreak.
How do you get infected? Cyclospora is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water, such as inadequately washed fruits, vegetables, or fresh herbs. Unlike many other intestinal infections, this parasite is not spread from person to person. U.S. public health authorities are still investigating the source of the current outbreak. Previous outbreaks have often been linked to contaminated fresh produce, but the source of this one has not yet been identified.
What about the Netherlands? Fortunately, there is no reason to panic. According to the Dutch Digestive Foundation (MDL Fonds), there is currently no evidence that this outbreak has spread to the Netherlands. So there’s no need to avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables. However, it’s always wise, especially when traveling outside Europe, to practice good food hygiene: wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them, wash your hands regularly, drink only safe drinking water if you’re unsure about the local water quality and if you experience severe diarrhea for more than a week or show signs of dehydration, seek medical advice.
Enjoy your holiday! Whether you’re traveling to the United States this summer or heading somewhere else, don’t let a stomach bug or intestinal infection spoil your trip. Paying a little extra attention to food safety and hand hygiene can go a long way. That way, you’ll come home with wonderful holiday memories, not directions to the nearest restroom.