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 reports 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 responses can be taken to help prevent additional cases of illness.

Outbreaks of cyclosporiasis may be identified when:

• Members of the public notify the local public health department about one or more cases of a similar illness, possibly occurring after a gathering or an event;
• Clinicians notify the local public health department when an increase is observed in the number of cases of cyclosporiasis in their hospitals or clinics;
• Laboratorians or epidemiologists at a public health department note an increase in the number of cases of cyclosporiasis diagnosed or reported.

If the outbreak investigation identifies a food item that caused the illnesses, the U.S. federal regulatory agencies (the Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture) may issue consumer alerts and/or product recalls so that any leftover contaminated food product will not be consumed.