Repeat this to yourself: The poop lettuce is not a weight loss aid. Arizona has confirmed 36 local cases of the stomach parasite cyclospora, and doctors are sounding the alarm over a troubling social media joke tied to the illness. Officials say the state’s cases are not linked to the nationwide outbreak of more than 4,000 cases across 41 states, and most Arizona cases involve international travel. Still, health experts are worried about online posts where people joke about wanting the parasite to lose weight.
Chandler physician Dr. Andrew Carroll called that idea extremely dangerous, warning the illness can cause severe dehydration, electrolyte loss, long hospital stays, and can even be deadly, which is especially risky in Arizona’s heat. He cautioned that influencers with large followings can do real harm with off-color jokes, since someone struggling with their weight might take them seriously. Nationwide, the CDC reports 308 hospitalizations and no deaths. Officials advise cooking vegetables and avoiding recalled lettuce.
Source: Fox10 Phoenix
