Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Investigations — United States, 2014

Highlights

• Read the related statements from [Texas Department of State Health Services] and [the U.S. Food and Drug Administration]
• Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.
• As of 26 August (5pm EDT), CDC had been notified of 302 ill persons with confirmed Cyclospora infection from 23 states in 2014 who had no history of international travel within two weeks before onset of illness*: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (and New York City), Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington
  • Most (165; 55%) of the cases were reported from Texas.
  • Most (186; 62%) of the cases were reported in July 2014.
  • Most of the illness onset dates ranged from January 15 through August 4.
  • Among those with available information, 11 (5%) have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
  • Among those with available information, ill persons range in age from 1 to 88 years, with a median age of 49 years.
  • Among those with available information, 159; 54% of ill persons are female.
• To date, at least 122 ill persons with Cyclospora infection have been reported among Texas residents who did not travel outside of the country within the two weeks before becoming ill.
  • Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted in Texas by state and local public health and regulatory officials and the FDA indicated that some illnesses among Texas residents were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.
  • Reported cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas have returned to baseline levels in August; therefore, it is likely that the outbreak has ended.
• Investigations are ongoing in other states.
  • To date, there is no evidence to suggest that any illnesses outside of Texas are linked to cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.
• 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.
• More information about Cyclospora can be found on CDC’s Cyclospora pages.

* The cases reported here reflect only cases that were not travel associated.