Acknowledgments Ynes Ortega PhD, University of Georgia Cyclospora cayetanensis Life Alexandre daSilva PhD, Food and Drug Cycle Administration Mauricio Durigan PhD, Food and Drug Administration Cyclospora Helen Murphy MSc, Food and Drug Administration Yvonne Qvarnstrom PhD, Centers for cayetanensis Disease Control and Prevention Michael J. Arrowood PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Amy Kahler, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Mandrell PhD, retired scientist Jim Brennan, Smart Wash Solutions John Gurrisi, Fresh Express Michael Osterholm PhD, MPH, University of Minnesota Daniela Cabrera PMS, University of Arizona Monique Torres MS, University of Arizona Gerardo U. Lopez PhD, University of Arizona Fact Sheet
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Cyclospora causes a disease Cyclosporiasis outbreaks How to reduce the risk of called cyclosporiasis Cyclospora has caused outbreaks in the Cyclospora contamination Cyclospora cayetanensis is a US among people who ate fresh produce Cyclospora is not easily killed and can microscopic parasite that causes an that was contaminated with the parasite. survive some antimicrobial treatments intestinal illness in humans called Past outbreaks have been related to such as chlorine. Therefore, good cyclosporiasis. A person infected with imported fresh produce: management practices are the best C. cayetanensis will shed the parasite • Raspberries ways to prevent produce contamination. in his or her stool. Once shed, the • Basil Growers and farm personnel should: parasite needs close to two weeks to • Snow peas • Be vigilant for potential sources of mature in the environment to become • Cilantro human waste in agriculture waters infectious. People can become • Salad mix (with romaine lettuce) (e.g., sanitary systems, including infected when they consume food or In more recent investigations, both portable toilets, septic systems, RV water contaminated with the mature imported and domestically grown fresh parks, and campgrounds) parasite. C. cayetanensis can be produce samples tested positive for C. • Provide and properly train farm found worldwide in water, humans, cayetanensis. crews on the care and use of and food. restroom and handwashing How to test for Cyclospora Cyclosporiasis symptoms facilities. Provide appropriate usage An infected person: Cyclosporiasis can oversite People who become ill from C. be diagnosed by testing stool samples • Develop health and hygiene cayetanensis can experience awareness programs for farm symptoms including (but not limited from the infected person. personnel to): Produce: The current FDA-preferred • Exclude ill personnel from handling method for identifying Cyclospora in fresh • Diarrhea all raw produce and food contact produce is described in the • Abdominal cramping and surfaces Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) bloating For more information: in chapter19b. • Nausea CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water: Currently there are no (2019). CDC - Cyclosporiasis. Retrieved from • Fatigue https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis standardized or validated methods for • Weight loss Food and Drug Administration. Nutrition, CFSAN. (2018). testing Cyclospora in water. More Foodborne Pathogens - Cyclospora. Retrieved from • Loss of appetite research is needed to determine the https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContamina nts/Pathogens/ucm610936.htm Symptoms can start a week after most effective water sampling schemes. exposure and can last for weeks to a Ortega, Y. R., & Robertson, L. J. (2017). Cyclospora cayetanensis as a Foodborne Pathogen. month or longer if not treated. Some Retrieved_from_https://books.google.com/books/about infected people do not show any /Cyclospora_Cayetanensis_as_a_Foodborne_P.html?id= symptoms, but can still pass the vtSyDgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_b utton#v=onepage&q&f=false parasite in their stool. https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/Labo ratoryMethods/ucm553445.htm