Cyclospora: What We Know and Don’t Know
Four specimens of Cyclospora
A new parasite, Cyclospora, is affecting leafy green crops said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, Vice President of Food Safety and Technology at United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA), at her virtual lecture at the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference. Here is what she had to say about what we know and don’t know about the parasite.
Know: Cyclospora is a Parasite
Unlike salmonella and
E. coli, Cyclospora is a parasite not a bacterium. This means things like antibacterial control cannot kill the parasite.
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“Parasites, like Cyclospora, are hardier and more evolved than bacteria,” Dr. McEntire said. “They also require a host in order to reproduce successfully.”