{"id":34950,"date":"2026-07-28T15:11:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T19:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/?page_id=34950"},"modified":"2026-07-29T16:27:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T20:27:59","slug":"3111e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/3111e\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin #3111, Cyclospora and Cyclosporiasis: Understanding a Food-borne Parasite and How to Reduce Your Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek, Associate Extension Professor and Seafood Technology and Food Safety Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by Dr. Denise Skonberg, Professor of Food Science, School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine and Lindsay Werner, Inspection Process Analyst Coordinator, Maine Department of Agriculture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong>
Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyclospora<\/em> in the News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cyclospora cayetanensis<\/em> continues to be an important cause of food-borne illness in the United States, with outbreaks reported most years, particularly during the spring and summer months. These outbreaks are often linked to fresh produce consumed raw, such as leafy greens, herbs, and berries. Although the specific food source is not always identified, recurring outbreaks highlight the importance of food safety practices throughout the production chain and remind consumers that fresh produce can occasionally become contaminated with disease-causing parasites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike bacterial food-borne illnesses such as salmonellosis caused by Salmonella<\/em> ssp. or listeriosis caused by  Listeria monocytogenes<\/em>, cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite C. cayetanensis<\/em> with a unique life cycle and transmission pattern. Understanding how Cyclospora<\/em> contaminates food can help consumers make informed decisions to reduce their risk of illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Cyclospora cayetanensis<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

C. cayetanensis <\/em>is a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine and causes an illness known as cyclosporiasis. Humans are currently the only confirmed natural host for C. cayetanensis<\/em>. Unlike many other food-borne pathogens, the parasite cannot multiply in food after contamination. Instead, people become infected by swallowing mature oocysts (eggs) that have contaminated food or water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parasite is found worldwide but is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where sanitation infrastructure may be inadequate. In the United States, most illnesses occur during seasonal outbreaks linked to contaminated fresh produce. Although imported produce has been associated with many previous outbreaks, domestically grown produce has also been implicated. Preventing contamination depends on maintaining good sanitation practices throughout the entire farm-to-table continuum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Produce Become Contaminated?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most distinctive features of Cyclospora<\/em> is its life cycle. Infected people shed immature oocysts in their feces. These freshly excreted oocysts are not immediately infectious. Under favorable environmental conditions, they require approximately 7\u201314 days to mature before they can cause infection. Because of this delay, direct person-to-person transmission is considered unlikely (Figure 1).<\/p>\n\n\n