Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite that causes cyclosporiasis. Like other coccidian parasites, infected people shed oocysts (rather than cysts or ova) in their feces. These oocytes are often non-infectious when initially excreted. To become infectious, the oocysts mature in favourable environmental conditions. This process takes up to 14 days so it’s unlikely that Cyclospora can spread directly between people [1].

C. cayetanensis is the only species known to infect humans and has been reported worldwide, in both developed and developing countries, though is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas [2], and in settings with poor sanitation where the environment is contaminated with human faeces from infected individuals.

Transmission is generally food and waterborne and associated with contaminated fresh produce such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, basil, and ready-to-eat bagged salads [2].

Though have been several large outbreaks of food-associated illness in the US, though infection is more frequently seen as sporadic individual cases and small clusters of illness.

Cyclospora cases mainly occurr between May and July in the US, though seasonality is also seen worldwide, which may be affected by rain, temperature, and humidity [3].