Cyclospora

A Cause of Foodborne Illness

Foodborne illness

Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses and parasites can make you sick.  Many people have had foodborne illness and not even known it. It’s sometimes called food poisoning.

The usual symptoms may include

• stomach cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• fever

These symptoms can start soon after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Or they could appear a week to a few weeks later. 

For some people, foodborne illness can be very dangerous. This is especially true for young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Public health experts think that there are about 11 million cases of foodborne illness in Canada every year.

Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented by

• using safe food handling practices, and
• using a food thermometer to check that your food is cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Cyclospora cayetanensis (called Cyclospora in this fact sheet)

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite. It can cause an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.

Symptoms and treatment of Cyclospora infection

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include

• abdominal bloating, increased gas
• fatigue
• loss of appetite, weight loss
• low-grade fever
• muscle ache
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach cramps
• watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea

Usually you would have these symptoms about one week after being infected, but you can be infected and have no symptoms at all.

Cyclospora infection responds quickly to proper antibiotic treatment and is not considered life-threatening if you are a healthy person. If untreated, symptoms last from a few days to six weeks. Sometimes the symptoms can keep recurring for a long time.

if you think you are infected with Cyclospora, seek medical attention.

Where Cyclospora could be found

Cyclospora is a parasite found only in humans. It is not naturally found in or on fresh fruits and vegetables, or any other foods.

Scientists think that food may be contaminated

• during cultivation, harvest, or packaging,
• in transportation through contact with infected food handlers, or
• through contaminated irrigation or tap water.  

Past incidences of Cyclospora infection in Canada were associated with

• travellers returning from abroad, as well as
• with the consumption of imported fresh raspberries, imported fresh basil and other imported produce.

Steps to protect yourself from Cyclospora infection

Washing fruits and vegetables is always recommended as a general food safety measure.

During washing, only some of the Cyclospora microorganisms are washed away because the parasite is often trapped on the surface of the food. Therefore, just washing food contaminated with Cyclospora will not prevent infection.

Adequately freezing fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of infection.

Thoroughly cooking and baking fruits and vegetables will eliminate the risk of infection.

Steps the food industry is taking to prevent Cyclospora contamination

The food industry is taking steps to prevent Cyclospora contamination.

By developing and sharing educational materials, the Canadian produce industry helps our trading partners establish safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of Cyclospora.

Steps the Government of Canada is taking to protect you from Cyclospora infection

The federal government does several things to protect you from getting Cyclospora infections.

If a contaminated product is identified, the company involved, with help from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and other government agencies,

• does an investigation to determine the source of contamination, and
• corrects the identified problem(s) to help prevent a recurrence.

If necessary, the CFIA may take steps to remove products from sale.

An import policy for Fresh Guatemalan Raspberries and Blackberries <http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/frefra/safsal/guat/berguatemalane.shtml> has been put into place to restrict importation of berries.

The CFIA, Health Canada and the produce industry have identified research on parasites, such as Cyclospora <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/handl-manipul/safety-salubrite/research-recherche_microb-eng.php>, as a high priority. They have shared this information with research institutions across Canada.

Government of Canada’s role in food safety

The Government of Canada is committed to food safety.

Health Canada establishes regulations and standards relating to the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada. Through inspection and enforcement activities, the CFIA is responsible for verifying that food sold in Canada meets Health Canada’s requirements.

For more information on food safety, please visit

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency <http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/concene.shtml>,
• Health Canada <www.hc-sc.gc.ca>
• Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education’s Be Food Safe Canada program <www.befoodsafe.ca>.