{"id":7276,"date":"2019-07-26T04:59:21","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T04:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/?page_id=7276"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:55:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:55:30","slug":"cyclosporiasis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/cyclosporiasis\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyclosporiasis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cyclosporiasis is an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite called Cyclospora<\/em> (SIGH-clo-SPORE-uh). Cyclosporiasis is not spread directly from person-to-person. Infected people pass Cyclospora<\/em> in their feces (stool), but this form of the parasite cannot make people sick. The parasite needs time (days to weeks) in the environment to change into a form that can make people sick. This form of the parasite then can infect someone by entering the body through the mouth, typically by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with Cyclospora<\/em>. Cyclosporiasis usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, increased gas, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever, and fatigue. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora\u00a0<\/em>do not have any symptoms. Symptoms usually appear within one week after exposure. Past outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the United States have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, lettuce, and snow peas. The produce involved in each outbreak was probably contaminated in the country where it was grown.<\/p>\n

Several states<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>currently\u00a0<\/span>experiencing a significant increase in cases\u00a0<\/span>of cyclosporiasis\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0some<\/span>\u00a0have detected outbreaks<\/span>. States are working together with federal partners to investigate these outbreaks.<\/span>\u00a0The i<\/span>nvestigations to\u00a0<\/span>identify<\/span>\u00a0source(s) of illness are ongoing.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Virginia Department of Health<\/span>\u00a0(VDH)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>closely\u00a0<\/span>monitoring<\/span>\u00a0and investigating reported cyclosporiasis case<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>here is not currently evidence<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>Virginia is\u00a0<\/span>experiencing an\u00a0<\/span>outbreak<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>he number of cyclosporiasis cases reported to VDH\u00a0<\/span>typically increase in the spring and summer\u00a0<\/span>months, and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are posted\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Monthly<\/span>\u00a0Morbidi<\/span>ty Report<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What VDH\u00a0does:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n