Symptoms usually begin about a week after someone consumes contaminated food or water, though they can appear as soon as two days or more than two weeks later.

Though no specific produce grower/supplier or specific produce type has been identified as the source of the outbreak, Cyclospora infections have repeatedly been tied to fresh produce in previous outbreaks. Some of those items include bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions, also known as scallions.