The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a health advisory on May 1 to increase laboratory testing for cyclosporiasis. The intestinal illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite and is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water.
According to the agency, Texas is entering its peak season for Cyclospora infections. The advisory highlights the risk posed by raw produce—such as cilantro, berries, and leafy greens—which has been linked to past multistate outbreaks.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis generally appear two to 14 days after ingestion and include watery diarrhea that can persist for weeks, alongside fatigue, appetite loss, and abdominal cramps. The DSHS instructed clinicians to order stool specimens for “ova and parasite” testing or use molecular methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm a diagnosis.
Because the parasite sheds intermittently, the agency recommends collecting three separate specimens over several days for the most accurate results. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cyclospora is a resilient parasite that cannot be easily killed by chlorine or other common chemical disinfectants.
The Texas Poison Control Network, based at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, continues to track inquiries related to produce-borne illnesses along the U.S.-Mexico border corridor, a major hub for fresh produce distribution.