Vermont

Cyclosporiasis in Vermont

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis*. It primarily affects humans, causing prolonged watery diarrhea, and is most often linked to consuming contaminated fresh produce or water. While found globally, outbreaks have been common in developed countries due to imported produce.

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What is Cyclosporiasis?

The parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis* was first observed in stools in 1979 but was recognized as a significant human pathogen in the early 1990s. Its historical significance grew due to large foodborne and waterborne outbreaks, particularly in North America, often linked to contaminated fresh produce. This led to increased public health awareness and research into its epidemiology.

Symptoms

  • Sudden, explosive, watery diarrhea (can be prolonged or relapsing)
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Abdominal cramps, bloating, and increased gas
  • Nausea and fatigue
  • Less common: Vomiting, low-grade fever, muscle aches

Transmission

Cyclosporiasis is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, primarily by ingesting food or water contaminated with mature *Cyclospora cayetanensis* oocysts. Direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely because the oocysts passed in stool are not immediately infectious; they require days to weeks to sporulate (mature) in the environment. Outbreaks are frequently associated with contaminated fresh produce such as raspberries, basil, or leafy greens.

Contagious Period: Varies by disease

Prevention

  • Thoroughly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables, especially berries, lettuce, and herbs, before consumption.
  • Avoid drinking untreated water from lakes, streams, or unverified sources.
  • Practice good hand hygiene, particularly after using the restroom and before handling food.
  • When traveling to areas where Cyclosporiasis is common, avoid raw produce and opt for cooked foods.

Vermont Health Resources

Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance

We're Monitoring Vermont

Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Cyclosporiasis activity across Vermont. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.

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Vermont Health Department

For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Vermont, visit your state health department's website.

Understanding Cyclosporiasis: Key Questions

Whether you live in Vermont or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.

When to Seek Care

Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.

Emergency symptoms: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.

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Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

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Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

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Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01

Recent Cyclosporiasis Reports

No confirmed cases reported in Vermont yet. Here are the latest Cyclosporiasis reports from our global surveillance network.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to classify recalled iceberg lettuce linked to a nationwide cyclospora outbreak as a Class I recall, its most serious category, may leave many consumers wondering whether lettuce is still safe to put on the dinner table. The clas…

United States · 2026-08-29

Confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection known for causing explosive diarrhea, have surpassed 17,000 as federal health officials continue to investigate a series of outbreaks larger than any previously seen in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control an…

United States · 2026-08-27

An infectious disease expert has issued advice to travellers following an outbreak of an 'explosive diarrhoea' infection in the US and Mexico. It comes as health officials in Michigan in the US have confirmed the first two deaths linked to cyclospora, which is a parasite that cau…

United States · 2026-08-09

The company said it was unaware of any reported illnesses linked to its products containing jalapeños, which were distributed to major retailers across 26 states. Taylor Farms, which has been linked to a large outbreak of cyclosporiasis associated with iceberg lettuce in the Uni…

Mexico · 2026-08-11

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The state's outbreak of the gastrointestinal illness is waning, as case numbers stayed steady across the state and in local counties this week. In Ohio, cases of the parasitic intestinal illness rose by only two, from a revised case number of 5,872 last week t…

United States · 2026-08-22

The state has now reported 315 cyclospora cases this year. The 2026 case count is now higher than at this time in recent years Texas has reported more than 100 additional cyclosporiasis cases in the past week, according to state health authorities, for a total count of 315 repor…

United States · Alaska · 2026-08-13

This summer has been particularly tough for foodborne illnesses, with reports of explosive diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, hospitalizations, and even deaths. Not all reported outbreaks have reached Florida, but as federal agencies investigate cases of salmonella, E. coli and cy…

Mexico · 2026-08-08

Outbreaks of severe foodborne illnesses, causing symptoms including "explosive diarrhea," have soared across the country this summer. With health officials working to address continually growing outbreaks of the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis, Trump administration health offic…

United States · Alaska · 2026-08-20

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