Summer Sickness

A public service announcement.

Ugh, cyclosporiasis!
“The runs” in many syllables!
It’s spiking in the USA—
I wish it were more killable!

Bagged salad is a culprit,
plus certain other vegetables. 
If they cannot be cooked or peeled,
consider them inedible.

That protozoan menace
will cause its share of misery.
“Beware!” they say, while warning us
to stay away from raspberries.

Diarrhea, stomach cramps, 
tired, with no desire to eat.
This could go on for a whole month.
It's hard to get that "cyclo" beat.

They say it could be Taco Bell,
or lettuce from a Burger King,
or water from from a swimming pool.
In summer, there are many things.

If sick, drink lots of fluids
and try the drug loperamide,
or treat with Bactrim or Z-Pack
or the drug nitazoxanide.

You might get better, anyway,
if you have good immunity!
I’m hoping that you all stay well
and have “Cyclo” impunity.

Diarrhea, stomach cramps,
tired, with no desire to eat.
This could go on a whole month,
 it's hard to get that "cyclo" beat.

Beat that Cyclospora!
Avoid that bagged lettuce!
Cook up all those vegetables!
Then "Cyclo" won't get us!

The Washington Post just released a story regarding Taylor Farms (fake picture above), a supplier of lettuce to Taco Bell and a number of other restaurants, being linked by the FDA to Cyclospora infections. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/
Other produce items are still  being investigated. More than 4,300 cases and 100 hospitalizations related to cyclosporiasis have been reported just in Michigan, mostly in the southeastern region, where I just happen to live.  Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky are also linked to the same supply. If you have this brand in your refrigerator, eat at your own risk. I think it would be safer not to eat things that come from bags.  I'm still eating raspberries every day, and so far, so good, but I just may be lucky.  If you can grow and eat your own produce, particularly lettuce, you are likely in the clear.  Good luck!