As a cornucopia of fresh summer produce fills markets and grocery stores, you may have a lingering concern.

Plastered across the news is a surge in U.S. cyclosporiasis cases, an intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite. Often linked to contaminated raw produce, a key symptom of the illness is watery, explosive diarrhea.

While the Outpost learned on Friday there’s yet to be a reported case of the infection in Humboldt County (and rates in California are lower than last year), state health officials are recommending a few simple prevention steps.

The California Department of Public Health is urging residents to wash vegetables, and if you’re a part of a vulnerable population group, it recommends avoiding raw produce wherever possible.

What steps are you taking, if any, to avoid catching the bug?