Production Practices that Protect NH Crops from Cyclospora Contamination

Cyclospora Cayetanensis is a parasite that can cause an intestinal illness called Cyclosporiasis. While uncommon, it is a known cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.  Humans are the only known host and it has not been found to infect animals.

People can become sick by consuming food or water that is contaminated with the parasite. Cyclospora spreads when human feces that contain its (spore-like) oocysts are released into the environment (ex. fields, water, packing area).  Cyclospora oocysts can survive in a warm, moist environment for weeks before maturing and becoming infectious. The mature, infectious oocysts  make their way onto produce via water or food contact surfaces. Once people eat the contaminated produce or drink contaminated water, they become infected with Cyclospora. It takes 2 to 14 days for the symptoms to appear. These may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramps, bloating, nausea, and tiredness.

The good news: produce safety practices you already have in place to reduce contamination also help protect against Cyclospora. If customers ask, you can confidently share the steps you have already  taken, such as: 

• Toilets for employees and the public: Because humans are the only known host for the parasite and it spreads in our feces, ensure that your toilets are clean and hand-washing facilities are readily available. With the U-pick season in full force and the current focus on Cyclospora, a clean toilet will put everyone at ease. Click here for a mini-video of how one NH farm manages their portable toilet to reduce risk.
• Sick Employees: Keep sick employees out of the food production and packing environment. 
• Hand-washing facilities: Go over your hand-washing policy with your employees. Here is a link to Farm Food Safety – Employment Training Resources.  Click here and here for mini-videos on how two NH farms manage staff hygiene training.
• Assess all Water sources: Because Cyclospora can be transmitted to produce and food contact surfaces via water, review all of your water sources and application methods and assess whether there is any possible way that human feces could make their way into the water. Items to note in this area:
  • Recreation water has the potential to contain human feces. 
  • Water testing for E. coli bacteria does not pick up the presence of Cyclospora. But  E. coli is a fecal indicator, so it could still indicate when human feces are present in the water. 
  • Pay attention to localized septic overflows and portable toilet spills. 
  • Chlorine and other standard antimicrobial chemical treatments are not considered effective against Cyclospora, regardless of whether they are applied at a farm or a municipal water treatment facility.
• Staff Housing: Ensure that on-site staff housing has clean toilets and hand-washing facilities. Given the life cycle of Cyclospora, it is likely that the production environment can be contaminated during weeding and other activities early in the plant production stage. 

You can find updated information on Cyclosporiasis cases in NH on the NH Department of Health and Human Services website. 

Contact Wendy Johnecheck, Food Safety State Specialist, Extension Professor, if you have questions about Cyclospora and your farm.