Georgia Department of Public Health Advises Precautions to Prevent Cyclosporiasis

The Georgia Department of Public Health issued a public‑health alert urging residents to take extra precautions when purchasing, preparing, and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. The agency noted that no Georgia‑specific outbreak, cluster, or direct link to the multi‑state outbreak— which has sickened more than a thousand people—has been identified, and that investigations into common sources are ongoing.

Cyclosporiasis typically presents with watery diarrhea, explosive bowel movements, bloating, cramping, and loss of appetite, and can last from a few days to over a month. While most cases resolve without treatment, dehydration may require hospitalization. Most Georgia cases are associated with international travel rather than domestic exposure.

To reduce risk, the department recommends washing hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce, thoroughly rinsing all fruits and vegetables under running water, scrubbing firm items such as melons and cucumbers with a clean brush, removing damaged or bruised portions, and refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked produce within two hours. Pre‑washed produce does not need additional washing. For more information, the public is directed to the CDC website on cyclosporiasis.