Cyclospora in the USA (Texas)
02 Aug 2017
On 29 July 2017, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 145 cases of infection with Cyclospora.
The source of the current outbreak is unclear, but previous outbreaks have been associated with imported fruit and vegetables.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that infects humans and other primates. Infection can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nausea, flatulence, loss of appetite, fatigue, low-grade fever, and weight loss. HIV positive individuals and those with other immune deficiencies can be at risk of more severe infection.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that infects humans and other primates. Infection can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nausea, flatulence, loss of appetite, fatigue, low-grade fever, and weight loss. HIV positive individuals and those with other immune deficiencies can be at risk of more severe infection.
Advice for Travellers
An advice sheet for travellers can be accessed via the following link:
Infection is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, direct person to person spread does not occur. Foods often implicated in outbreaks include soft fruits like raspberries and salad products such as coriander, basil and lettuce.
Key points:
- Drinking water must be bottled, boiled, or purified with a special filter designed for drinking water.
- Iodine and chlorine do not kill Cyclospora.
- Food should be freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked and eaten hot whenever possible.
- Uncooked berries, unpeeled fruit and salad leaves are best avoided since these are difficult to clean.
- Further food and water advice
- Preventing and treating travellers'diarrhoea
On return from travel, if travellers have any symptoms such as those described above they should seek medical attention and inform their GP of their travel history.