Protecting Yourself From Cyclospora: Practical Steps for Patients and Health Care Professionals

As health officials continue to investigate the latest multistate outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, infection preventionists (IPs) have an important opportunity to educate patients, health care workers, and their communities about reducing infection risk. While no single prevention strategy can eliminate the risk entirely, understanding how Cyclospora spreads and reinforcing basic food safety practices can help prevent illness.

Unlike many gastrointestinal pathogens, Cyclospora is not typically spread from person to person. Instead, infection occurs after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables, has been linked to previous outbreaks. Because the parasite requires time to mature in the environment before becoming infectious, direct transmission between people is considered unlikely.

Start With Safe Food Practices

The first line of defense is proper food handling.

The CDC recommends thoroughly rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking them. While washing produce is an important step, it is important to understand its limitations. Cyclospora can adhere tightly to the surface of produce, meaning rinsing alone may not completely remove the parasite. (See Slideshow.)

Consumers should never wash produce with soap, bleach, or commercial detergents, as these products are not intended for consumption and may leave harmful residues. Instead, use clean running water and remove any damaged or bruised portions of fruits and vegetables before eating.

Equally important is preventing cross-contamination during food preparation. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food, use clean cutting boards and utensils, and regularly disinfect kitchen surfaces that come into contact with fresh produce.

Stay Alert for Food Safety Advisories

Because Cyclospora outbreaks are often linked to commercially distributed produce, monitoring food recalls and public health advisories is essential. The CDC and FDA regularly publish updates during outbreak investigations.

If a recalled product is identified in your home or health care facility, it should be discarded immediately, even if it appears fresh or has already been partially consumed without causing illness.

Health care dietary departments should also remain vigilant, working closely with food service vendors to ensure that recalled products are promptly removed from inventory.

Recognize the Symptoms Early

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically develop about one week after consuming contaminated food or water. The most common symptom is prolonged watery diarrhea, which may be accompanied by abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and low-grade fever.

Unlike many foodborne illnesses that resolve within a few days, Cyclospora infections may persist for weeks or even months if left untreated. Symptoms may also improve temporarily before returning.

Anyone experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal illness should seek medical evaluation, particularly during the summer months when Cyclospora outbreaks are most common.

Diagnosis Requires Specific Testing

One challenge with Cyclospora is that it is not routinely detected on standard stool cultures. Clinicians must specifically request testing for Cyclospora, often through a molecular gastrointestinal pathogen panel or specialized ova-and-parasite examination.

For IPs and other health care professionals, this highlights the importance of working closely with clinicians and microbiology laboratories whenever clusters of prolonged diarrheal illness are identified.

The Role of Infection Prevention

Although health care-associated transmission is rare, IPs remain critical to outbreak response. They can educate staff on recognizing potential cases, reinforce hand hygiene and environmental cleaning practices, and facilitate timely reporting to public health authorities when appropriate.

Infection prevention teams should also collaborate with dietary services, employee health, and laboratory personnel to ensure potential foodborne illnesses are recognized quickly and managed appropriately.

Prevention Begins With Awareness

Cyclospora outbreaks serve as an important reminder that infection prevention extends well beyond hospital walls. Food safety, surveillance, and public education all play a role in protecting patients and communities.

By promoting safe food handling, encouraging prompt medical evaluation for persistent diarrhea, and staying informed about public health advisories, infection prevention professionals can help reduce the impact of Cyclospora while supporting broader efforts to identify and control future outbreaks.