What Is Cyclospora And How Can You Avoid Contracting It?

Travellers from North and Central America have been advised to watch out for the parasitic infection cyclospora, but as with any other disease, taking a trip to your local pharmacy can help equip you with the advice and medications you need to minimise your risk of infection.

Following a travel advisory by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and international news coverage, cyclospora has been raised as a point of concern, particularly for those travelling to the United States and Mexico.

What is cyclospora? How do you contract it? How is it treated? And what can you do to reduce your risks of getting it?

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a tiny parasite transmitted by contaminated food and water that causes a stomach infection known as cyclosporiasis.

Cyclosporiasis is typically characterised by watery diarrhoea and many of the symptoms that come as a result, including:

• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Sudden weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle pains

Some cases have no symptoms at all, whilst people with weakened immune systems may be at risk of more serious symptoms such as bloody stools, fever-like symptoms or severe dehydration.

How Do You Contract Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is typically contracted through contaminated food and water, typically food that has been washed in infected water and has not been cooked thoroughly.

In the United States, a major outbreak was initially linked to contaminated lettuce from a company known as Taylor Farms, as well as takeaway restaurant Taco Bell, but no food has been confirmed as the direct source of this outbreak, according to Verywell Health.

Historically, lettuce, salad leaves, raspberries and herbs have all been connected to outbreaks of cyclospora.

As it has a long incubation period before the parasite becomes infectious, it is impossible to catch it from someone else. 

How Do You Treat Cyclospora?

Most cases of cyclospora, like many stomach infections, tend to be self-limiting, meaning that they will usually go away on their own within a few days.

Some cases last longer than this, with severe untreated cyclospora infections potentially lasting for months, particularly if you have a weakened immune system. In some cases, most commonly seen with people living with HIV, cyclosporiasis can return after it clears up.

The most typical course of treatment is to treat the symptoms. This means drinking plenty of fluids, using an oral rehydration supplement, taking painkillers as appropriate and ensuring you try to eat foods that settle your stomach.

In some serious cases, antibiotics such as co-trimoxazole can sometimes be used to help kill the parasite and reduce diarrhoea, but as with other antibiotics, it is only used if there is no alternative and there is little to no chance the cyclospora will go away on its own.

How Do You Protect Yourself From Cyclospora When Travelling?

Alongside packing a first aid kit with oral rehydration powders, anti-diarrhoea medicine and ensuring you have clean water to hand if you are worried about cyclospora in your destination, you can also:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water
• Drink and brush your teeth with bottled water
• Avoid ice in your drinks
• Avoid fresh fruit and vegetables, including smoothies and juices, if you do not know they are safe
• Eat fruits and vegetables you peel yourself
• Opt for freshly cooked hot food where possible.