Cyclospora outbreak drives surge in Ohio farmers market lettuce demand

Concerns surrounding the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak are changing how some consumers shop for produce, with farmers markets reporting a surge in shoppers seeking homegrown greens.

Demand for locally grown lettuce has increased across Ohio, with some farmers market vendors selling out within 30 to 60 minutes of opening, Ohio news publication Axios Columbus reported.

The increased interest comes as shoppers pay closer attention to where their food comes from amid concerns about produce distributed through larger commercial suppliers.

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Grocery store lettuce sales and visits to restaurants with produce-heavy menus have declined this summer, while farmers markets are seeing increased demand for locally grown alternatives, according to Axios.

Locally grown produce, however, is not immune from Cyclospora. Local greens typically have a shorter journey from farm to consumer than produce handled through larger commercial supply chains, which may mean fewer opportunities for contamination, the publication said.

The shift in shopping habits comes as federal health officials continue investigating the outbreak and encouraging consumers to take precautions when preparing produce.

The CDC advises consumers to wash their hands and rinse fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before preparing or eating them. Washing produce, however, does not guarantee that Cyclospora will be eliminated, according to the agency’s food safety alert.

Concerns about the outbreak have also spread online, where some consumers say the uncertainty has left them anxious about what they eat.

“I’ve been coping by pretty much only eating things that are cooked,” one Reddit user wrote.

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Another commenter pointed to the time between exposure and potential symptoms as a source of worry.

“The incubation period is what’s making me anxious,” the user wrote.

“Any time I feel a little off I absolutely panic that I have this parasite,” another user commented.

The concerns come as the outbreak has grown to thousands of confirmed cases across the country.

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Fox News Digital previously reported that over 6,300 cases had been confirmed across 15 states, resulting in 278 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17 after health officials linked the product to the outbreak. The recalled lettuce reached consumers, restaurants and retailers in at least 27 states.

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People who develop Cyclosporiasis can experience diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms most often develop about a week after infection, although they can begin as early as two days after exposure or take two weeks or longer to appear, according to the CDC.

Fox News Digital’s James Cirrone contributed to this report.