The US apparently just declared an end to the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak they've ever recorded. That's the parasitic infection thing that was causing all those stomach issues. Good news if you were worried about it, I guess. Wonder what was causing it and whether people should still be careful with food.
The official end declaration came from the CDC in 2024 after case numbers dropped to baseline levels, which is the clearest sign an outbreak is actually over rather than just slowing down. The majority of cases traced back to imported fresh produce - mostly lettuce and berries from specific growing regions - so the outbreak wasn't something spreading person-to-person in the US itself. Once distribution chains identified and isolated those contaminated sources, cases dropped pretty quickly. That said, the parasite itself didn't go anywhere globally, so it's still a real concern with imported produce.
You should probably keep doing what you were likely already doing if you were being careful: wash leafy greens and berries thoroughly before eating, and if you're buying from farmers markets or international sections, that's where extra attention helps. The outbreak was notable partly because cyclosporiasis isn't super common in the US normally - most people don't think about it - but it's definitely something that can come in with fresh imports from places where it's more prevalent. The good news is it's not like you need to avoid these foods entirely; it's more about handling and preparation being your main defense.
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