--- title: Cyclospora Food Poisoning date: 2020-08-16T19:52:00-07:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-is-cyclospora" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) / # Cyclospora Food Poisoning ### **What is *Cyclospora cayetanensis*?** *Cyclospora* *cayetanensis* is a unicellular, microscopic parasite that can cause food- or water-related gastrointestinal illness. The oocyst form of the parasite is chlorine-resistant and must sporulate in the environment before it is a viable infectious agent. *Cyclospora* cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another through infected fecal matter; the parasite must complete part of its lifecycle outside of a host. ![](https://holistic-kudu.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/legionnaires-disease-300x114_thumb.jpg?w=250&h=95&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1677187867&s=381562241cdf80ef81a17ad2553cad76)Only in recent decades has this parasite been recognized as an emerging foodborne pathogen. *Cyclospora* was previously thought to be a blue-green alga or a larger form of *Cryptosporidium,* another foodborne parasite. However, in 1977, the parasite was identified in human illness cases in Papua New Guinea. The first outbreak in the United States was documented in July 1990 among a group of physicians at a Chicago hospital, where the suspected vehicle was contaminated water or possibly food from a catered party. *Cyclospora* *cayetanensis* is the only species of this organism found in humans. Animal reservoirs for *Cyclospora* are not known at this time. In the United States, *Cyclospora* causes about 11,000 illnesses and 11 hospitalizations, but infestations of this parasite do not typically result in death. Due to the self-limiting nature of the pathogen (which causes some people to not seek medical care), difficulty in diagnosing it specifically, and other factors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there could be very broad ranges of infection, from 140 to 38,000 annual cases. There are 15 pathogens responsible for 90% of foodborne illness cases acquired in the United States every year, and *Cyclospora* ranks last in terms of total economic burden ($2.3 million) and per-case economic burden ($202). This low ranking is due in part to relatively low incidence rates and low mortality rates, and results in economic losses primarily due to lost productivity. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutboutlismcom-images/image2.png)Microscopic appearance of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts [ Next: Epidemiology of Cyclospora › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/epidemiology-of-cyclospora) ### More information about Cyclospora [October 23, 2022 ###### A 2020 Cyclospora Outbreak The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with health departments in 14 states and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), investigated a national outbreak of Cyclospora in the ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-2020-cyclospora-outbreak) [October 20, 2022 ###### The Cyclospora Outbreak of 2022: A Quick Guide Latest Information The number of reported cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis illnesses has increased by 260 cases since the last update on August 25, 2022. Cases continue to be reported ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/the-cyclospora-outbreak-of-2022-a-quick-guide) [October 03, 2022 ###### Over 1,000 with Cyclospora with no know source Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/over-1000-with-cyclospora-with-no-know-source) [September 01, 2022 ###### Cyclospora in the United States hits 800 Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cyclospora-in-the-united-states-hits-800) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ## All Cyclospora Resources [###### Cyclospora Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-is-cyclospora) [###### Epidemiology of Cyclospora ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/epidemiology-of-cyclospora) [###### Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporas-mode-of-infection) [###### Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/symptoms-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### How is Cyclospora Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/how-is-cyclospora-diagnosed) [###### Cyclosporiasis Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporiasis-treatment) [###### What Are the Serious and Long-term Risks of Cyclospora Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-are-the-serious-and-long-term-risks-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### Cyclospora Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-outbreaks) [###### Cyclospora References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)