Cyclosporiasis

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What is cyclosporiasis?

This is a diarrheal disease that is caused by a protozoa called Cyclospora cayetanesis (American Public Health Association, 2000).

What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?

You may have watery diarrhea (6 or more stools/day), nausea, anorexia, abdominal cramping, fatigue and weight loss. It is rare to have a fever (American Public Health Association, 2000).

How soon do symptoms appear?

The incubation period is about 1 week (American Public Health Association, 2000). The length of time the organism is shed in the stool is noted as 23 days (American Public Health Association, 2000).

How is cyclosporiasis diagnosed?

It is diagnosed when your stool is examined under a microscope at the laboratory. You may be required to submit several stool specimens to the laboratory on different days (American Public Health Association, 2000).

How is cyclosporiasis transmitted?

“Transmission appears to be primarily waterborne, and occurs either through drinking or swimming in contaminated water; but there have been international outbreaks involving thousands of persons traced to raspberries from Guatemala that occurred in at least 3 successive years during the late 1990s. Other vehicles have included basil and lettuce. Outbreaks have a seasonal pattern, with warmer months predominating in reported cases” (American Public Health Association, 2000, p. 137).

What is the treatment for cyclosporiasis?

Consulting your physician or health care provider is recommended who may suggest antibiotic treatment (American Public Health Association, 2000).

What can be done to prevent cyclosporiasis?

Preventative measures include:

• thoroughly washing all produce before it is eaten but be informed that this practice may not be eliminate cyclospora (American Public Health Association, 2000)
• not drinking water in pools or with other recreational use of water including water slides and lakes (American Public Health Association, 2000)
• drinking water from an approved source (American Public Health Association, 2000)
• informing those with immune diseases who have persistent diarrhea to seek medical treatment (American Public Health Association, 2000)
• prevention of travel-associated infections which may include, but is not limited to some the following: do not eat from street vendors, eat only cooked vegetables and eat only fruit that you have peeled yourself, drink only water you have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine (other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled water and carbonated, bottled beverages with no ice), eat food that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, do not bring perishable foods back from your travels (Center for Disease Control, 2001).

Are there any special concerns about cyclosporiasis?

While produce should be washed thoroughly before it is eaten, it may not eliminate the risk of cyclospora (American Public Health Association, 2000).

For more information please call the Communicable Disease Team in the Barrie Office at (705) 721-7520.

References

American Public Health Association. (2000). Diarrhea caused by cyclospora. In J. Chin

(Ed.), Control of communicable diseases manual (17 th ed., pp. 137-138). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

Center for Disease Control (2001, June 20) Cholera. Retrieved August 21, 2002, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm