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title: "Fair warning: This one's about that crappy parasite outbreak"
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Don't read this while eating, Friend. What to know about the GI outbreak making headlines. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Have you heard? A new parasitic outbreak is on the rise.   Cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness that causes extreme diarrhea, continues to make its way through the U.S. with more than 7,000 suspected cases in 39 states. And while it’s unpleasant, we want to help you sift through the noise and protect yourself and your team.   Today, we’re sharing: 🦠 What to know about the new parasitic infection 🤢 Symptoms to watch out for ✅ How to keep healthy during the outbreak ⚡ Resources to support your team during wildfire smoke and flooding   If someone forwarded you this email, you can stay informed and receive our newsletter directly by joining the mailing list. PARASITE 411 What Is Cyclosporiasis?   Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. While rare in the U.S., it spreads through food and water that has been contaminated by feces. Health officials have not yet identified the source of the current outbreak, but the most common culprits are fresh produce, like romaine lettuce, raspberries, cilantro, and basil.   Good news for workplaces — a sick employee can’t pass this to coworkers.  The risk comes from contaminated food, not people.   As of July 14, 39 states have reported at least one case of cyclosporiasis. Michigan has the highest case count, with more than 3,300 confirmed cases. These numbers likely undercount the true total, since many people recover without ever being tested. QUICK FACTS What Happens If You Get Cyclosporiasis?   Not everyone who contracts the parasite will become sick. According to the CDC, those who do may experience the following symptoms: Watery diarrhea that can be loud and “sometimes explosive” (most common symptom) Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Stomach cramps Bloating, including burping and flatulence Low-grade fever Extreme tiredness After infection, these symptoms can appear within two days to two weeks. For some people, the sickness will resolve within a few days. But experts recommend that if you are experiencing symptoms for more than a week or two, you should seek professional care. A stool test is necessary to determine if you have cyclosporiasis.   Young children, pregnant women, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems may be impacted more severely and should seek medical help if they suspect they have contracted the infection. EXPERT ADVICE Tips To Keep Healthy Without a confirmed source, avoiding one food isn't enough to protect yourself. Instead, experts recommend continuing to eat a healthy diet while taking extra precautions when preparing all fruits and vegetables. Here are some tips to keep you and your community healthy:  Wash all produce thoroughly with water. Before consuming, wash all produce for at least one minute in cold water. One study found that rinsing blueberries in cold water removed over 90% of Cyclospora. Scrub produce while washing. Any produce with a firm surface, like cucumbers, can benefit from scrubbing with a clean brush. Avoid bagged salads. The produce in bagged salads may have been washed with water containing the parasites, and it is harder to clean. Peel fruits and vegetables. After washing, peel any produce with a skin, such as cucumbers and apples, and discard the skin to help limit exposure. Cut away damaged or bruised parts of produce. Breaks in the skin provide an ideal environment for Cyclospora and are harder to wash clean. Cook produce when possible. To kill the parasite, food needs to reach a temperature of 158°F or higher. Seek medical care if you experience severe diarrhea and become dehydrated. While unpleasant, most cyclosporiasis cases do not pose a significant health risk, and symptoms tend to fade on their own within a few days to weeks. If your symptoms are severe or disrupting your daily life, seek guidance from a healthcare provider. Sources: CDC, Washington Post What Can Employers Do?   As cyclosporiasis cases climb across the country, some employees are likely already feeling it or will soon. Here's how to respond before it becomes a bigger disruption. Loop in whoever oversees food safety for on-site cafeterias, catering, and company kitchens, even if that falls outside your usual scope. Send a short note to staff to properly educate them on the symptoms, how to take care of themselves, and the current situation in the workplace.  Revisit sick leave and work flexibility. Offer or expand paid sick leave, as symptoms can last up to two weeks. Consider remote options to allow people to work from home while they fully recover.  EXTREME WEATHER Wildfire Smoke and Texas Flooding    Smoke from more than 830 wildfires burning across Canada is pushing air quality to unhealthy levels across the Great Lakes and Northeast, with health advisories now in effect in New York and several other states. Employers with outdoor or exposed workers should track local air quality readings and adjust schedules as conditions shift. Our guide, Protecting Your Employees From Unhealthy Air Quality, walks through practical steps, from monitoring the Air Quality Index to supporting caregivers managing school closures. GET THE GUIDE At the same time, torrential rain has triggered catastrophic flash flooding across the Texas Hill Country. Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a disaster in 59 counties, and emergency crews have rescued dozens of people from rising water. Employers with staff in affected areas should check in with workers directly; our guide, A Business Guide to Supporting Workers Through Disasters, covers how to build a centralized resource hub, support employees through recovery, and connect teams to local assistance. READ MORE Visit Extreme Weather + Work to learn more about supporting your teams before, during, and after extreme weather.  LEARN MORE YOUR FEEDBACK Lunch Is On Us   HAA has been exploring a membership program for leaders like you, and we’d love to hear your perspective on what would make it worth your while. We’re looking for a handful of people to share what you’d want from membership and what you wouldn’t. It’s a quick 30-minute conversation, and as a thank you, we’ll send you a $20 Uber Eats gift card, so lunch really is on us. BOOK TIME Editorial Note: The Health Action Alliance is solely responsible for the content of this email and maintains full editorial control of its resources. The Health Action Alliance is the nation's largest employer network advancing public health. We help companies navigate evolving health challenges, strengthen workforce well-being, and partner with public health organizations to build stronger, healthier communities. Founded in 2021 by the Ad Council, Business Roundtable, CDC Foundation, the de Beaumont Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, HAA’s network has grown to more than 11,000 employers nationwide, collectively reaching over 50 million workers and their families. We believe good health is good business, and we equip employers with the tools, partnerships, and strategies to deliver on that promise. Powered by Meteorite, 145 S Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90036-5653 Manage preferences |
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