A HIGHLY contagious parasite has been found in pre-washed vegetables from several major supermarkets.
Cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting, was present in 17 per cent of samples analyzed by scientists in Kent.
The study, carried out by the School of Biosciences at the University of Kent, warns that families should take extra care when consuming ready-to-eat products.
Cryptosporidium is a water- and food-borne parasite that causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis.
In recent months, it has affected people and farm animals across the UK, causing diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, headaches and fatigue.
Several people were hospitalized.
Cryptosporidium is typically found in lakes, streams, rivers, and untreated drinking water, but can be present in foods.
There is evidence of infections caused by drinking and eating unpasteurised milk, undercooked meat and offal (liver, kidneys and heart), but research into the presence of cryptosporidium in pre-washed, ready-to-eat vegetables in the UK is limited.
The study, published in Research in Parasitologyanalyzed 36 pre-washed vegetables purchased from four major Canterbury supermarkets between May and July 2023.
Samples were randomly chosen from packaged and ready-to-eat varieties, and duplicates of each were obtained.
Twelve samples were excluded because sufficient DNA could not be extracted.
But of the remaining 24, 58 percent tested positive for cryptosporidium and 17 percent (four) yielded similarities to cryptosporidium parvum – the main cause of human cryptosporidiosis.
Although many people experience mild symptoms, infections can be fatal — especially for young children.
“Infection is associated with stunted growth, malnutrition, cognitive deficits, and stunted growth in infants and children, so efforts to prevent infection and outbreaks must be strictly enforced,” the authors said.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends rewashing ready-to-eat vegetables to ensure they are safe and prevent illness.
The origin of the parasite is unclear, but it may be present in irrigation water or fertilizers, or transferred during harvesting, processing, packaging or transportation, the authors said.
‘DISINFECTION RESISTANT’
“This pilot study may reveal a potential common source of Cryptosporidium infection across different regions of the UK,” they added.
“Vegetables from individual supermarket chains are packaged in their own central facilities and then distributed throughout the country.
“Although pre-washed, ready-to-eat vegetables undergo a more thorough washing with water containing chlorine-based disinfectants compared to unpackaged vegetables, Cryptosporidium particles (oocysts) are actually resistant to chlorine disinfection and can only be reliably removed by boiling water or filtration.
“Therefore, they are expected to be free of parasites and ready to eat straight from the package, but some oocysts remain and can cause disease.
“Our study can contribute to the development of better strategies to prevent Cryptosporidium infection.
“Further studies could focus on tracking the exact point of contamination and addressing it.”
Take steps to protect yourself and your family
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
ANYONE who has ever had a bout of norovirus knows how terrible a stomach bug can be.
In this case, the cause appears to be the Cryptosporidium parasite, a small organism that causes a disease known as cryptosporidiosis.
The insect can be found in the intestines and feces of infected humans and animals.
Anyone can get sick, but it is most common in children between one and five years old.
Other people at high risk include people who work with animals, people exposed to human feces (parents changing diapers), and people who swim in open water.
This is because you catch the virus from an infected person or animal when you come into contact with their feces.
Other sources of infection include drinking or swimming in contaminated water, eating contaminated fresh food (unwashed or unpeeled vegetables or salads), and drinking contaminated raw milk.
Like norovirus, symptoms can be very unpleasant watery diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, fever and loss of appetite, which can lead to dehydration.
Symptoms tend to last about two weeks, but may subside and reappear during this time.
The only way to know for sure if you’ve been infected—and to tell it apart from other belly bugs—is to ask your doctor to test a stool sample.
Like other infectious viruses, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family.
First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling any food, after preparing raw food, after using the bathroom or changing a baby’s diaper, and after playing with or caring for any animal – including your pets. pet.
And if you or a member of your family catches the virus, wash all dirty bedding and towels, avoid sharing towels, clean all bathrooms, and avoid preparing food for others until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours. .
It goes without saying that if you have symptoms, avoid going to work or taking your children to school until you too have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
There is no specific treatment, but most healthy people recover within a month. The NHS notes that it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
If you’re worried about your child or can’t shake the problem, it’s worth speaking to your GP – try filling in an online consultation form.
Anastasios Tsaousis, leader of the research, added: “Although our 2023 study cannot distinguish between live and inert cryptosporidium, it is nevertheless important because the presence of cryptosporidium in pre-washed vegetables could mean reviewing the sanitation methods employed by the suppliers along the production chain, such as improved hygiene measures during harvesting, processing, packaging, transport and storage.
“There is also a need for greater consumer awareness about the proper storage of vegetables and washing hands before eating.”
Just like through food, you can contract cryptosporidiosis directly from another person or animal by touching their feces (for example, when changing a diaper) and putting your hands near or in your mouth without washing them well.
It also spreads from infected animals, swimming or drinking contaminated water.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
