We have seen a rise in cyclosporaisis in Ohio and across the country. At this time, no specific sources have been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing. Medina County has seen confirmed cases of cyclosporaisis.

To see the up-to-date count of confirmed infectious diseases in our community, you can check out our Infectious Disease Dashboard.

You can also follow trends at the state level with ODH’s infectious disease dashboard.

For updates to the outbreak of cyclosporaisis cases, please see our Health Alerts page.

What is Cyclosporiasis/ Cyclospora?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as Cyclospora.

Not everyone infected with Cyclospora will develop symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common symptom is frequent and watery diarrhea, with possible explosive bowel movements, as well as severe dehydration.

Without treatment, the illness can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may improve for a time and then return one or more times. Even after diarrhea and other digestive symptoms have resolved, some people may continue to feel unwell.

Common symptoms include:

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Stomach cramps
  • Bloating
  • Increased gas
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue

Less common symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Low-grade fever
  • Other flu-like symptoms

Cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces (poop). This can happen by drinking untreated water or accidentally swallowing contaminated water while swimming. The parasite can survive for long periods in chlorinated pool water.

Unlike many other stomach illnesses, Cyclospora is not usually spread directly from one person to another. After leaving the body in a bowel movement, the parasite needs 1 to 2 weeks in the environment before it becomes infectious. This means human to human transmission is rare.

Anyone can become infected with Cyclospora, regardless of age.

In Ohio and across the country, the most recent outbreak has been linked to contaminated fresh produce. Both imported and U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables have been associated with past outbreaks, including basil, cilantro, lettuce, raspberries, snow peas, and sweet peas.

The best way to reduce your risk of Cyclospora infection is to avoid eating food or drinking water that may be contaminated with feces (poop). Practicing safe food handling and good hygiene can also help protect you and your family.

To help prevent infection:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling fresh fruits and vegetables, after using the bathroom, and before eating.
  • Rinse all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking them. As an extra precaution, you may want to wash even produce labeled “pre-washed”.
  • Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
  • Cut away any bruised or damaged areas before preparing or eating fruits and vegetables.
  • Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.
  • Cook fruits and vegetables to at least 165°F or higher
  • Wash countertops, cutting boards, dishes, and utensils with hot, soapy water after preparing fresh produce.
  • Avoid drinking untreated water or using it to prepare food.
  • Do not swim if you have diarrhea, and wait at least two weeks after symptoms have completely resolved before returning to pools, lakes, or other recreational water.

Cyclosporiasis is not the only foodborne illness to be aware of. During the warmer months, foodborne illnesses become more common, often because food is left out too long in warm temperatures. Practicing safe food handling is one of the best ways to prevent foodborne illness and help keep you and your family healthy.

If you have frequent watery diarrhea throughout the day, contact your healthcare provider. If you’ve already been treated with antibiotics but your symptoms return or get worse after you’ve finished the medication, let them know as soon as possible.

Seek emergency medical care right away if you have signs of severe dehydration, such as:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Urinating much less than usual

Don’t have a healthcare provider? We are here to help! Call our Health Center at 330-723-9688, option 1 and schedule an appointment with our providers.

Treatment

If you think you may have Cyclospora, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. The infection is most commonly treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sold under brand names such as Bactrim, Septra, or Cotrim). If you’re allergic to sulfa medications, your healthcare provider can discuss other treatment options, such as ciprofloxacin.

Caring for Yourself at Home

While you’re recovering, getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are just as important as taking your medication.

To help your body recover:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or sports drinks, to replace what you’ve lost.
  • Avoid alcohol and drinks containing caffeine, which can make dehydration worse.
  • Eat what you can, even if it’s only small amounts at a time.
  • Take all antibiotics exactly as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before you’ve finished them.

Recovery

With proper treatment, most people begin to feel better within one to two weeks.

Without prompt treatment, symptoms can last for several days to a month or longer and may come and go over time. People with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions are at greater risk for a longer or more severe illness, so it’s important to contact a healthcare provider if you think you may have Cyclospora.

Yes. If your healthcare provider thinks you may have Cyclospora, they’ll ask about your symptoms, review your medical history, and may ask about recent travel or foods and drinks you’ve consumed. They may also perform a physical exam.

Cyclospora is diagnosed by testing a stool (poop) sample. Because the parasite can be difficult to detect, you may need to provide stool samples collected on different days. The amount of the parasite can vary from day to day, so testing multiple samples increases the chance of finding it.

It’s also important to know that Cyclospora is not included in routine stool tests. If your healthcare provider suspects Cyclospora, they will need to specifically request testing for it.