What is Cyclosporiasis?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as Cyclospora. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of Cyclosporiasis and how do I become infected?
According to the CDC, people infected with Cyclospora may or may not experience symptoms. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.
If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to over a month. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse).
Cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water that is contaminated with feces (poop). The time between being infected and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more.
It takes at least one to two weeks in the environment (outside the body) for Cyclospora to become infectious after passing in a bowel movement. Therefore, direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely.
When should I get help?
According to the CDC, if you are experiencing symptoms of Cyclospora infection, you should see your healthcare provider. Cyclosporiasis is treatable. Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is also important for those experiencing diarrhea.
Most people with healthy immune systems will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment. However, if not treated, you may be sick for anywhere from a few days to a month or longer. You may also have symptoms that seem to go away but then return one or more times (relapse). People in poor health or those who are immunocompromised may be at a higher risk for severe or prolonged illness.
Prevention
According to the CDC, the best way to prevent cyclosporiasis is to avoid food or water that may be contaminated with feces (poop). If you are traveling to cyclosporiasis-endemic (regularly occurring within an area or region) areas (such as tropical and subtropical regions), it’s important to know that fresh fruits, vegetables, and water may be contaminated with Cyclospora.
Consider the following tips:
Wash
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
Prepare
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- It is important to thoroughly wash produce even if it is labeled as pre-washed.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
- Cooking can kill the parasite. Since washing alone cannot guarantee the parasite’s removal, cook produce to a temperature of at least 158 °F (70°C).
Store
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).