Cyclospora

About Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as Cyclospora. A parasite is a living organism that lives on or inside another organism. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, often through fecal contamination.

Status: CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. Health officials are also investigating other Cyclospora illnesses and outbreaks that have not been linked to the lettuce outbreak. For the latest information, visit the CDC website.

If you have questions about cyclosporiasis, contact us at: 832-927-7575 Monday – Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM; Saturday: 8 AM - 3 PM.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually appear about one week after consuming contaminated food or water, but you can get sick between 2 days and 2 weeks after exposure. Some infected people, especially in endemic areas, have no symptoms. Without treatment, symptoms may last from a few days to over a month.

Common Symptoms:

Watery diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Cramping
Bloating
Increased gas
Nausea
Fatigue

Less Common Symptoms:

Vomiting
Body aches
Headache
Low-grade fever
Other flu-like symptoms

Risk Factors

Anyone can get cyclosporiasis, though you may be at increased risk for cyclosporiasis if you:

Have a weakened immune system (such as those taking immunosuppressive medications or living with HIV).
Are an older adult, or are a young child, as these groups may experience more severe illness, dehydration, or require longer treatment.
Live or travel to an area where cyclosporiasis is endemic (regularly found).
Consume food or water contaminated with the parasite.

Prevention

When possible, discard the outer layer of fruits and vegetables.
Rinsing produce thoroughly is an appropriate first step but may not reliably eliminate the parasite. Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean running water, including before you peel them. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce. Note that Cyclospora parasites are resistant to standard chlorine-based sanitizers. Consumers should not use soap or bleach to rinse produce.
Be cautious with pre-washed or pre-cut produce. Commercial washing processes may not be sufficient to remove the parasite.
Clean kitchen countertops, cutting boards, utensils, etc. with hot, soapy water to reduce contamination.
Prioritize cooking. For any produce that can be cooked, cooking to a temperature of at least 158 °F (70°C) is the safest option, as cyclospora cannot survive at these elevated temperatures. Additionally, the parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection, and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.
Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
For additional information, please visit Preventing Foodborne Illness: Cyclospora cayetanensis

Seek Treatment

If you've become sick from eating potentially contaminated food, consult your healthcare provider and request testing for cyclosporiasis, especially if you have diarrhea or other symptoms for more than three days.
Cyclospora can be challenging to detect; every test and every conversation matters. Getting tested and fully participating in public health interviews gives us the vital clues needed to pinpoint the source of the outbreak and protect our community.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose cyclosporiasis by testing a stool (poop) sample. Cyclospora can be difficult to detect, so you may need to provide multiple stool samples collected on different days.
A healthcare provider can prescribe the correct antibiotics to treat the infection. It is important to seek care promptly, especially if you are immunocompromised, as longer treatment may be needed.