How to Recognize and Prevent Cyclosporiasis

The Allegheny County Health Department has identified 11 cases of the intestinal disease cyclosporiasis in the county and has released a list of symptoms and methods to prevent contracting it.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite called cyclospora. People get infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite, but cyclosporiasis is not spread directly from person to person.

Symptoms and Preventative Measures

The most common cyclosporiasis symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal cramping and bloating

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

Symptoms typically begin about a week after exposure, but can range from two days to two weeks. Anyone who believes they have contracted the illness should contact their healthcare provider. There is a specific antibiotic treatment that is prescribed for cyclosporiasis.

Methods to prevent contracting cyclospora include:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill or effectively remove the parasite. Wash and sanitize cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops between preparation of fruits and vegetables.

• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. 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.

• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible - or within two hours.

• Cook your food when you can. Heating food to 158°F or higher kills cyclospora.

The health department is working with state and federal partners to investigate if there is a link between the Allegheny County cases.