Headlines about the parasite causing “explosive diarrhea” in several states, including Indiana, may make some parents nervous or question what’s safe to eat, but a Franciscan Health infectious disease doctor says simple steps make the difference in preventing the spread of cyclosporiasis.
Franciscan Health infectious disease expert Erica West, MD, who helped write the American Medical Association’s information page on Cyclospora, discusses how we can best prevent the spread of the Cyclospora parasite, symptoms of an infection and treatment options.
Key Takeaways: Cyclosporiasis Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
- Thorough handwashing and washing of produce and utensils can prevent the spread of the Cyclospora parasite.
- It takes about a week for GI symptoms to begin, and for most people, symptoms may end within a week. Others may have symptoms that last for weeks and may need antibiotics as part of their treatment.
- Cyclosporiasis treatment at home includes staying hydrated.
What Is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis, known in the media as an illness involving “explosive diarrhea,” is caused by the parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis. A 41-state outbreak, including Indiana and surrounding states, made the news in summer 2026. As of July 22, nearly 600 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in Indiana.
How Is Cyclospora Spread?
Cyclospora is spread when people eat food or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) that contains the parasite. Previous outbreaks, which often occur between May and July, have been linked to fresh produce.
“The way Cyclospora causes infection is that we ingest from the contaminated produce little oocytes,” explained Dr. West, who practices at Franciscan Health Dyer in northwest Indiana. “Those oocytes, once we ingest them, take about a week – it sounds gross – but it’s going to sporulate in your body and that’s what actually releases the parasite and causes the infection.”
According to the Indiana Department of Health, person-to-person spread of cyclosporiasis is unlikely.
What Is My Risk Of Getting Cyclosporiasis?
Dr. West says the general risk of you becoming infected is low. Typically, the U.S. has between 10 and 15 outbreaks per year, resulting in between 200 and 1,000 illnesses.
“I don’t want people to use these types of outbreaks as a reason to cut off all eating of anything green, leafy or from a tree,” Dr. West said. “There are still a lot of benefits to eating fruits and vegetables. So as long as you are washing them, using those little vegetable scrubbers to make sure you get a clean surface, your risk is going to be really low. “
People more at risk
“People who are especially prone to dehydration are the ones who tend to get the sickest,” Dr. Kaufman West said.
Those groups include:
- Infants, toddlers and small children
- Older adults
- Having certain underlying illnesses or taking diuretics
What Are Symptoms Of Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis symptoms are typically gastrointestinal in nature. They include:
GI symptoms
- Watery diarrhea. It’s often been described in the media as “explosive diarrhea.”
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
Cylosporiasis symptoms vs. stomach bugs
“There’s not that much difference when you talk about diarrheal illnesses,” Dr. Kaufman West said. “This one they tend to call ‘explosive.’ There’s a lot of intestinal inflammation that goes along with cyclosporiasis. It hits you fast, and you don’t have a lot of time to get to the bathroom. Most stomach flus, as people call them, are going to be upper GI where it’s a lot of nausea, vomiting and not wanting to eat.”
Cyclospora infects the intestines, not the stomach, leading to lower-GI symptoms, gas, cramping and diarrhea.
Cylosporiasis symptoms vs. IBS flares
While GI symptoms can happen with IBD flares, Dr. West notes one key difference.
“Some people that have inflammatory bowel disease can get bloody diarrhea. This should not be bloody,” she said. “It causes inflammation, but it doesn’t necessarily cause an invasive sort of response like that. So if you do see bloody diarrhea, I would definitely go get it checked out because that’s not commonly associated with Cyclospora.”
How Long Do Cyclosporiasis Symptoms Last?
Cyclosporiasis symptoms normally begin about a week after exposure and can last days or weeks. Some people may also experience a cycle where they feel sick, then feel better for a few days, and then start to feel sick again. Other infected people have no symptoms.
What Should I Do If I Have Cyclosporiasis Symptoms?
“If the illness lasts beyond several days, so if you’re getting into week two of diarrhea, that’s when you really want to go and get checked out,” Dr. West said. “Most viruses, like norovirus, that might cause similar-type symptoms, it’s going to get through within about a week’s time, and so you’ll start to feel better.
“With Cyclospora, the symptoms can last for several weeks if untreated. So if you’re finding yourself in week 2 and especially in week 3 and it’s just not letting up, go in. When you have that prolonged illness, that’s when you need to be concerned.”