Cyclospora infection causes the foodborne illness known as Cyclosporiasis which results in a very interesting time in your bathroom. We’re talking about some beautiful explosive diarrhea right under your booty. Now as much as the media has dramatized this situation acting like everyone is going to get sick from this outbreak, the reality creates a slightly different picture. Is the situation serious? Absolutely, but this isn’t going to be some nationwide pandemic that’s going to affect all of us.
Cyclospora
This parasite is a type of protozoan, meaning it is a single-celled organism. At roughly the size of one of your own red blood cells, it is far too small to be seen with the naked eye. Once ingested, it invades the cells lining the small intestine, where it reproduces. The parasite is eventually shed in an infected person’s feces, but it is not immediately infectious. Instead, it must spend approximately one to two weeks maturing in the environment before it can infect another person through contaminated food or water.
Cyclosporiasis (The Illness)
After consuming the Cyclospora contaminated food/water the illness takes about two days or two weeks before it can affect you. Common symptoms of the disease include of course explosive watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. You might also be asking yourself “How long is this going to last?” Well it really depends on whether you get treatment or not. Without any treatment the effects can last several weeks and up to a month following relapsing periods where you might feel like you got better. With treatment it gets better within a few days. Treatment includes an antibiotic known as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Common brand names include Bactrim or Septra, please note that these are Sulfa medications which some people cannot take. Why? Well some people have allergies, are pregnant, have blood/kidney disorders, or are taking other drugs that sulfa drugs don’t work well with.
Note: Treatment decisions should be made by your healthcare provider. If you experience symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis, seek medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Current Outbreak Snapshot
| Statistic | Current Reports |
|---|---|
| Confirmed CDC multistate cases | 1,645+ |
| Estimated broader reported illnesses | 5,000–6,000+ |
| Hospitalizations | 140+ |
| Confirmed deaths | 0 |
Supportive care for the illness tends to be drinking plenty of fluids, replacing your lost electrolytes, and getting adequate rest to recover.
Outbreak Locations
The current Cyclospora outbreak seems to be mostly impacting Michigan, but there are additional reported cases in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and 34 total states. Michigan appears to be the epicenter of the outbreak of Cyclosporiasis, but this does not generally mean that this is where the contamination occurred. Michigan may be the epicenter due to the fact they have better testing, reporting, or a large shared distribution network.
The Beginning?
Investigators have not yet identified the exact source of the current outbreak. However, because Cyclospora is spread through human fecal contamination, investigators are focusing on how the parasite may have entered the food supply. Current theories include contaminated irrigation water, wash water used during food processing, inadequate sanitation practices, or other environmental contamination occurring before produce reached consumers. Health officials have not publicly identified a specific farm, company, or supplier responsible for the outbreak.
Food Impacted
Leafy greens, particularly lettuce, are currently the primary focus of the investigation due to repeated reports from infected individuals. In previous Cyclospora outbreaks, other fresh produce such as cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and salad mixes have also been implicated. At this time, however, no specific product, brand, or farm has been confirmed as the source of the current outbreak.
Protection
While the investigation continues, consumers can reduce their risk by washing fresh produce under running water, discarding the outer leaves of lettuce, practicing good hand hygiene before preparing food, and avoiding produce that appears damaged or spoiled. Anyone experiencing prolonged watery diarrhea, especially after eating fresh produce, should seek medical evaluation. Although washing produce can reduce dirt and some contamination, it may not completely remove Cyclospora, which is why identifying the contamination source remains a priority for public health officials.
Although washing produce under running water is still recommended to remove dirt and reduce some contamination, it cannot be relied upon to completely eliminate Cyclospora because the parasite can adhere tightly to the surface of fresh produce.
Final Thoughts
Although Cyclospora is only about the size of one of your own red blood cells, this microscopic parasite has managed to sicken thousands of people across the United States. The good news is that investigators continue to narrow down the source, no deaths have been confirmed in the current outbreak, and simple awareness can go a long way toward helping people recognize symptoms and seek treatment if needed.
You can always find more information on Foodborne Illnesses through our other article.