Investigation of an Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in the United States

Last Updated August 16, 2013 9:00 AM EDT

On June 28, 2013, CDC was notified of 2 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection in Iowa residents who had become ill in June and did not have a history of international travel during the 14 days before the onset of illness. Since that date, CDC has been collaborating with public health officials in multiple states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an outbreak of cyclosporiasis.

Highlights

Read the Advice to Consumers
Read the Guidance for Laboratories
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.
As of August 15, 2013 (5pm EDT), CDC has been notified of 576 ill persons with of Cyclospora infection from 19 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through mid-July.
- Among 423 ill persons with available information, 36 (9%) have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
It is not yet clear whether the ill persons from all of the states are part of the same outbreak.
Nebraska and Iowa performed investigations within their states and concluded that restaurant-associated cases of Cyclospora infection in their states were linked to a salad mix.
- According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a traceback investigation has confirmed that the salad mix identified by Iowa and Nebraska as being linked to the outbreak of cyclosporiasis in those states was supplied to Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in those states by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a processor of foodservice salads.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine whether this conclusion applies to, or helps explain, the increase in ill persons with cyclosporiasis in other states.
On August 12, 2013, Taylor Farms de Mexico officially informed FDA that, as of August 9, 2013, the company had voluntarily suspended production and shipment of any salad mix, leafy green, or salad mix components from its operations in Mexico to the United States.
Consumers should continue to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a well-balanced diet.
- Consumers and retailers should always follow safe produce handling recommendations.
- CDC will update the public as more information becomes available, including steps consumers can take to protect themselves.

At a Glance

Case Count: 576
States: 19
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 36
Recall: No

More Information

Latest Case Count Map

Click map to view updated & previous case count maps.

Latest Epi Curve

Click graph to view updated & previous epi curve graphs.

Progression of the Outbreak Investigation

Current Updates expanded

August 16, 2013

Case Count Update

As of August 15, 2013 (5pm EDT), a total of 576 ill persons with Cyclospora infection have been reported from 19 states. Since the last update, 19 additional ill people were reported.
Ill persons range in age from less than one year to 92 years, with a median age of 51 years. Fifty-four percent of ill persons are female. Among 423 ill persons for whom information is available, 36 (9%) have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Illnesses that occurred after July 9, 2013, might not yet have been reported because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This could take up to 4 to 5 weeks.