How to prevent getting infected by cyclospora, the elusive parasite that can cause severe stomach distress

A parasite that has no smell, no taste and often hides on fresh produce has infected nearly 400 New Yorkers since May.

The parasite, cyclospora, is found in food or water that contains feces. According to the New York State Department of Health, there have been 273 cases in New York City and 121 cases in the rest of New York State reported since May 1.

“While cases are reported year-round, there is some seasonality to cyclosporiasis with case counts often rising during the spring and summer months," the department said. “New York’s current case counts do not represent a major deviation from the norm this time of year."

But Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist at Northwell Health, said: “The trends over the last couple of years are not good. They're increasing year after year. Cyclospora tends to occur in the summer months, it likes the warm weather, and our world has been getting warmer.”

Here's what you should know about the parasite.

How do people become infected with cyclospora?

People can become infected by cyclospora by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. The parasite easily evades detection as it does not have a smell or taste when in food or water.

A person is very unlikely to contract it from an infected person’s stool because it takes at least one to two weeks for feces containing the parasite to become infectious.

How can it be prevented?

To prevent the spread, health department officials make these recommendations:

• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw fruits and vegetables and wash all fresh produce before eating, cutting and cooking.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables with a clean produce brush.
• Cut away damaged areas on fruits and vegetables.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).
• Cook your food when you can. Heating food to 158°F or higher kills cyclospora.

What are the symptoms of an infection?

Those who are infected may not show symptoms. But they can include watery diarrhea with frequent bowel movements; appetite loss; stomach cramps; weight loss; nausea and vomiting; muscle aches; and fatigue.

While usually not life-threatening, symptoms may last anywhere from a few days to more than a month.

“The real problem with cyclospora is that if a person has a weakened immune system, if they get it, it can last inside of them and cause symptoms off and on for months and months and months,” Hirsch said.

Should swimming be avoided?

 The parasite can be found in water. But Dr. Luis Marcos, from the Division of Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook University, said: “Recreational swimming is not considered a major source of infection, and there is no recommendation to avoid swimming because of cyclospora."

What happens if  an infection of cyclospora is suspected?

A healthcare provider needs to analyze a sample of stool. But the parasite can be difficult to detect, and a person may have to provide multiple samples on different days to get a diagnosis.

What are the treatment options?

Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is important for those experiencing any form of diarrhea.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with healthy immune systems “will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment." In some cases, a person may be prescribed an oral antibiotic.

“It is highly effective, and most people begin to improve within a few days of starting treatment," Marcos said. “Although healthy individuals may eventually recover without antibiotics, untreated illness can last for weeks or even months, and symptoms may come and go."

Hirsch said keeping hydrated is critical. “Sports drinks like Gatorade, dilute Gatorade, is OK, but just water with a small amount of salt and a few tablespoons of sugar in it is a way of keeping the person well hydrated.”

NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie contributed to this story.