Protect yourself and your community from cyclosporiasis

"San Bernardino County Update", yellow arrowhead and "SBCounty.gov

*Learn how to help prevent cyclosporiasis through safe food handling practices.*

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to take steps to help prevent cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. There have been two cases in San Bernardino County this year; however, public health officials have not identified any outbreaks or clusters in the county.

Cyclospora spreads when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces that contains the parasite. A total of 4,173 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since May 1, and thousands of additional cases requiring further analysis have been reported across 41 states among individuals who became ill after eating contaminated food. However, the actual number may be higher because only cases reported to the CDC are included. Due to the delay between when symptoms start and when cases are reported, many individuals recover without seeking medical care.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis usually begin one to two weeks after ingesting contaminated food or water and can include:

Prolonged watery diarrhea, which may be explosive and intermittent
Stomach cramps
Fatigue
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Bloating
Vomiting
Low-grade fever

Not everyone infected with cyclospora will experience symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your health care provider. Cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics. If left untreated, symptoms may last from several days to weeks. Some symptoms, such as diarrhea, may go away temporarily but return later. Individuals experiencing frequent diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration.

Cyclosporiasis is not usually a life-threatening illness, and most infected individuals recover without treatment. However, some individuals may be at higher risk of severe illness, including:

People with a weakened immune system (HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc.)
People with pre-existing medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
People living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions

The best way to help prevent cyclosporiasis is to avoid consuming food or water that may be contaminated with feces and follow these food safety guidelines:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food, especially fresh produce, and after using the restroom.
Wash utensils and surfaces, such as cutting boards and countertops, after preparing each food item to help prevent cross-contamination.
Thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables with water before eating, cutting or cooking them.
For lettuce and other salad greens:
- Purchase whole heads of lettuce instead of prewashed, bagged lettuce or pre-mixed salad kits.
- Before preparation, remove and discard the outer two to three layers of leaves.
- Thoroughly wash the remaining inner leaves under clean running water. Do not soak.
- When preparing greens and produce that can be heated, cook to an internal temperature of at least 158°F (70°C). The parasite is resistant to routine chemical disinfection, and washing alone cannot guarantee its removal.
Cook food thoroughly and store it at safe temperatures.
If working as a food retailer, ensure that staff are following food safety handling practices to prevent foodborne illness.

To learn more, visit the California Department of Public Health’s Cyclosporiasis webpage and Safe Food Handling Practices webpage.

Together, we can keep cyclosporiasis from spreading in San Bernardino County and maintain a healthy community.

Additional County Update News – July 23, 2026