Until most recently, techniques to identify strains of B. cepacia from the environment and compare them with those found in people were not very sophisticated. That made it difficult to answer this question. It appears that the strains found in individuals with CF often have traits that differ from the environmental strains. We have documented the transmission of B. cepacia both from one CF patient to another and isolated cases which have originated in the environment. Common environmental sources would be a sink, hospital shower or a contaminated nebulizer.
Extensive research is now underway to better understand the total transmission process.
B. cepacia is a very hardy organism and can live for a very long time if it is kept in a moist environment. Heating and drying are two of the best ways to eradicate this organism. Despite the fact that researchers currently think that the possibility of any B. cepacia residue on fresh vegetables and fruit is miniscule, it is always a good idea to wash and dry any fresh fruits or vegetable that you are not going to peel or cook before you eat. It is not totally clear why people with CF get sick when they acquire B. cepacia , while healthy people have little problem with this bacteria. A number of potentially important bacterial traits that may make this organism more dangerous to individuals with CF is currently under investigation.