{"id":7276,"date":"2019-07-26T04:59:21","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T04:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/?page_id=7276"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:42:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:42:04","slug":"cyclosporiasis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/cyclosporiasis\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyclosporiasis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cyclosporiasis is an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite called Cyclospora<\/em> (SIGH-clo-SPORE-uh). Cyclosporiasis is not spread directly from person-to-person. Infected people pass Cyclospora<\/em> in their feces (stool), but this form of the parasite cannot make people sick. The parasite needs time (days to weeks) in the environment to change into a form that can make people sick. This form of the parasite then can infect someone by entering the body through the mouth, typically by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with Cyclospora<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Cyclosporiasis usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, increased gas, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever, and fatigue. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora\u00a0<\/em>do not have any symptoms. Symptoms usually appear within one week after exposure. Past outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the United States have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, lettuce, and snow peas. The produce involved in each outbreak was probably contaminated in the country where it was grown.<\/p>\n

Several states<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span>currently\u00a0<\/span>experiencing a significant increase in cases\u00a0<\/span>of cyclosporiasis\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0some<\/span>\u00a0have detected outbreaks<\/span>. States are working together with federal partners to investigate these outbreaks.<\/span>\u00a0The i<\/span>nvestigations to\u00a0<\/span>identify<\/span>\u00a0source(s) of illness are ongoing.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Virginia Department of Health<\/span>\u00a0(VDH)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>closely\u00a0<\/span>monitoring<\/span>\u00a0and investigating reported cyclosporiasis case<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>here is not currently evidence<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>Virginia is\u00a0<\/span>experiencing an\u00a0<\/span>outbreak<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>he number of cyclosporiasis cases reported to VDH\u00a0<\/span>typically increase in the spring and summer\u00a0<\/span>months, and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are posted\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Monthly<\/span>\u00a0Morbidi<\/span>ty Report<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2026 VA Cyclosporiasis Case Counts\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n

Cases Domestically Acquired\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cases\u00a0Internationally Acquired\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unknown\/Pending<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Total\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Case Count\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

38<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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27<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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79<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

About the Data<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

This data table summarizes cyclosporiasis cases\u00a0reported to\u00a0the Virginia Department of Health\u00a0during 2026\u00a0as of\u00a0<\/span>07\/16\/2026.<\/span>\u00a0This page will be updated on a weekly basis on Mondays by 10 am\u00a0and\u00a0will include\u00a0data through the previous\u00a0<\/span>Thursday<\/span>.\u00a0Data are preliminary and subject to change.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cumulative numbers shown in the table above will not match the number displayed in monthly surveillance reports.\u00a0The VDH Monthly\u00a0<\/span>Morbidity Surveillance Reports\u00a0Dashboard<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is updated once a month,\u00a0whereas\u00a0this table will be updated once a week.\u00a0Additionally, please note that it is expected that case counts on the VDH webpage may not match data reported on the CDC webpage due to known lags in case reports, investigations, and differences in data workflows.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia is experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases which is\u00a0expected during\u00a0the summer months.\u00a0The Division of Surveillance and Investigation\u00a0compiles case\u00a0reports for\u00a0cyclosporiasis\u00a0from laboratories, medical providers, and local health departments\u00a0in Virginia.\u00a0These data are entered into the Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System (VEDSS) and sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\u00a0Disease\u00a0surveillance data enable public health agencies to act quickly to prevent the spread of disease,\u00a0identify\u00a0and respond to outbreaks, and provide an overall snapshot of disease trends at the local, state, and national levels.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What VDH\u00a0does:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n