Health officials in more than 30 states are tracking a rise in cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite that spreads through contaminated fresh produce. The season typically runs from May through August, and this year's case counts are running higher than usual in several states. It's rarely life-threatening, but it's uncomfortable, and if it's not caught early, it can drag on for weeks.
Read below for practical tips to protect yourself and your family and how to know when it's time to get help rather than wait it out.
1. Know the symptoms and how they differ from a typical stomach bug.The hallmark symptom is sudden, watery diarrhea, sometimes described as explosive, along with cramping, bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite. A low-grade fever is possible but less common. Symptoms usually appear about a week after exposure, though the range can run from two days to two weeks. Unlike most 24-hour stomach bugs, this illness can persist for weeks and even relapse after it seems to have cleared.
2. Practice broad food safety measures.
While we do not yet know exactly what is driving this outbreak, we know there is an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which most commonly contaminates fresh herbs like cilantro and basil, along with berries, snow peas, and bagged salad greens. It spreads through the fecal-oral route, typically when produce comes into contact with contaminated water along the growing or supply chain. Because investigators have not connected this summer's cases to a single source, practicing broad food safety measures rather than avoiding a specific product remains the most effective protection right now.
3. Wash produce thoroughly, every time.
Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking, even if they're labeled pre-washed. Trim away any bruised or damaged areas first. Washing reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it entirely, since Cyclospora can be resilient even after rinsing. Cook your food when you can. Heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit kills Cyclospora.
4. Be selective with high-risk items.
A few categories have repeatedly been linked to past outbreaks:
5. Practice good hand hygiene around food.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce. Cyclosporiasis isn't known to spread person-to-person, but anyone preparing food for others while symptomatic should still be especially diligent about handwashing to avoid contaminating shared food or surfaces.
6. Know when to stop waiting it out.
Many people with healthy immune systems will recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment. However, if not treated, the illness may last for a few days to a month or longer, and people with weakened immune systems may be at a higher risk for severe or prolonged illness. If diarrhea persists beyond a few days, your provider may choose to test for Cyclospora (if testing is available) and/or treat with an antibiotic.
7. Reach out to Summus.
You don't need to leave home to get guidance. Reach out to Summus for non-urgent health questions about your symptoms, what to ask your local provider, or whether it's time to be seen. We can help you understand your options and connect you to a provider who can help, at no additional cost as part of your benefits.
You may always reach out to us through your Summus Dashboard, email us, or give us a call at +1 (917) 565-8540.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Nancy Creech, SVP of Clinical Operations at Summus