The microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes an intestinal illness called Cyclosporiasis. People become infected with Cyclospora after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.
The major symptom of the illness is watery diarrhea that can last from a few days to several months. There are additional symptoms to be concerned about, including losing one’s appetite, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting and a low fever.
Last year, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) investigated 200 cases of Cyclosporiasis in the state. The illnesses were found to be associated with cilantro from the Puebla region in Mexico.
On June 22 of this year, the DSHS began encouraging health care providers to test patients for Cyclospora infection if they had diarrheal illnesses lasting more than a few days or if associated with weight loss and fatigue.
A diagnosis of Cyclosporiasis is achieved by submitting a stool specimen for “ova and parasite” testing. One “negative” test does not mean you may be clear of the parasite, though. Three stool submissions are required. If you are infected with the parasite, treatment with Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra, and Cotrim, can clear up the infection.
Prevention and control of the parasite
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), avoiding food and water that may have been contaminated with feces is the best way to avoid infection. Treatment of foods and water with chlorine or iodine will not kill Cyclospora, and even washing vegetables or fruit will not always remove the parasite.
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) has published a manual describing in detail food safety recommendations for growers and suppliers. But it’s important to remember that foods imported into the U.S. are not always grown under the strict regulations our foods are subject to.
While no common source for the illnesses in Texas has been identified yet, past outbreaks in the U.S. have been associated with eating fresh produce, including fresh cilantro, pre-packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mescalin lettuce.
