Surveillance & Outbreak Response

CDC conducts surveillance for cyclosporiasis. Surveillance is the ongoing collection and analysis of data and the timely dissemination of information to those who need to know so that action can be taken. Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease, that is, a disease for which regular, frequent, and timely information regarding individual cases is considered important for its prevention and control. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) publishes weekly summaries of nationally notifiable disease data, periodic surveillance reports for selected diseases and conditions, and an annual summary of nationally notifiable diseases. Cyclosporiasis is reportable in over 35 states. Regardless of whether cyclosporiasis is reportable in a particular state, it is important for the public and clinicians to inform their local health department about potential cases and clusters of the disease so that appropriate actions can be taken to help prevent additional cases of illness.

Even single cases of cyclosporiasis—not just obvious clusters of similar cases (such as after a social gathering or other event)—should be reported. CDC, in collaboration with public health authorities, analyzes each reported case for epidemiologic evidence of linkage to other cases, to facilitate rapid identification and investigation of outbreaks. No molecular tools are available for linking C. cayetanensis cases.