Cyclospora Statistics

Cyclosporiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Infection is often spread by consuming contaminated food and drinks and commonly imported raw fruit and vegetables such as raspberries, blackberries, lettuce, snow peas, and salad herbs.

If you or a loved one contracted Cyclospora, speak with an experienced Cyclospora lawyer to explore your legal right to compensation. 

Where Cyclospora is Commonly Found?

Currently, only one Cyclospora species is known to be associated with syndromes of acute and chronic diarrhea in humans. Cyclospora infections have largely surfaced in people who traveled to countries in tropical and subtropical regions where cyclosporiasis commonly occurs, including:

• South America
• Central America
• South Asia
• South East Asia
• Middle East
• Africa
• Mexico

To reduce the risk of infection, travelers can take precautions. For example, in areas with inadequate hygiene and sanitation, travelers should avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, raw and unpeeled fruits, and unpasteurized fruit juices. It is also important to note that treating water or food by routine sanitizing methods or chemical disinfection is unlikely to kill Cyclospora oocysts.

Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Data in the U.S.

Cyclosporiasis cases are reported year-round in the U.S. but are most common in the spring and summer months. Here is data for domestically acquired cases between May and August. 

• In 2021, 34 states and New York City reported 864 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclosporiasis in people who had no international travel history as of August 25.
  • At least 59 people have been hospitalized.
• In 2020, 35 jurisdictions reported 1,241 lab-confirmed cases of Cyclosporiasis in people who had not traveled internationally. A significant drop in cases from years prior.
  • At least 90 people were hospitalized.
• Multiple clusters of cases were associated with different restaurants or events.
• In 2019, there were 2,408 lab-confirmed cases of Cyclosporiasis in people who had not traveled internationally. Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and New York City reported infections to the CDC. The number of cases reported between May and August in 2019 was higher than the number of cases reported during the same time period in 2018 and 2017. However, the increase could, at least in part, have been due to changes in diagnostic testing.
  • At least 144 people were hospitalized.
  • Clusters of cases were linked to different restaurants or events.
  • 10% of patients were infected by basil imported from Mexico.
• In 2018, 33 states reported 2,299 lab-confirmed cases of Cyclosporiasis in people who had not traveled internationally.
  • A third of these illnesses were attributed to known outbreaks. (Del Monte pre-packaged vegetable trays and McDonald’s salad mix)
  • Clusters of cases were linked to other fresh produce, including basil and cilantro.
  • Many of the cases could not be directly linked to an outbreak.
• In 2017, there were at least 597 lab-confirmed cases in people who did not travel internationally, who became ill on or after May 1. that time period. This is out of the total 1,065 total lab-confirmed cases for 2017. The source was not identified.
• In 2016, at least 134 of the total 384 lab-confirmed cases occurred on or after May 1 in 25 states.

This table summarizes U.S. foodborne outbreaks of Cyclosporiasis between 2000 to 2020, the approximate number of cases, as well as the probable source if it was identified. 

Year(s)	Jurisdiction(s)	No. of Cases	Source
2020	GA, IL, IA, KS, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, PA, SD, WI	701	Fresh Express brand and private label brand bagged salad products
2019	Florida, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, & Wisconsin	241	Basil from Mexico
2018	CT, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE,NY, OH, SD, TN, VA, & WI	511	McDonald’s Fresh Express Salad Mix
2018	Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, & Michigan	250	Pre-packaged Del Monte vegetable trays
2017	Florida	3
2017	Connecticut	3
2017	Tennessee	4
2017	Michigan	29
2017	Texas	38	Scallions (green onions)
2017	Florida	6	Berries (suspected)
2016	Texas	6	Carrots or green cabbage (suspected)
2015	Georgia, Texas, & Wisconsin	90	Cilantro from Mexico
2014	South Carolina	13
2014	Texas	26	Cilantro from Mexico
2014	Michigan	14
2013	Wisconsin	8	Berry salad (suspected)
2013	Texas	38	Cilantro from Mexico
2013	Iowa, Nebraska, & neighboring states	162	Bagged salad mix from Mexico
2012	Texas	16
2011	Georgia	88
2009	District of Columbia	34
2008	California	45	Raspberries and/or blackberries (likely)
2008	Wisconsin	4	Sugar snap peas (likely)
2006	Georgia	3
2006	New York	20
2006	Minnesota	14
2005	Connecticut	30	Basil (suspected)
2005	Massachusetts (May)	16
2005	Massachusetts (April)	58
2005	South Carolina	6
2005	Florida	582	Basil from Peru
2004	Pennsylvania	96	Snow peas from Guatemala
2004	Tennessee	12
2004	Illinois	57	Basil (likely)
2004	Texas	38
2002	New York	14
2002	Massachusetts	8
2001-02	Vermont	22	Raspberries (likely)
2001	New York City	3
2001	Florida	39
2000	Pennsylvania	54	Raspberries
2000	Georgia	19	Raspberries and/or blackberries (suspected)

New Methods for Detecting Cyclospora

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began using a new method to detect Cyclospora in food. This new testing method was a critical tool used to identify produce that was positive for Cyclospora during 2018 outbreak investigations. It was the first time the FDA was able to confirm the presence of Cyclospora in food since the early 2000s. This significant step forward can lead to better detection and prevention efforts.

How to Report Cyclospora Infections

Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease, which means it is considered to be of great public health importance and state health departments must report confirmed and probable cases to the CDC. As a result, it is your health care provider’s responsibility to report cases of Cyclosporiasis to your state’s department of health, not yours. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t notify your state health agency of your illness. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) receives timely and frequent reports of cases from states and jurisdictions where the disease is reportable. Currently, 43 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City have passed legislation making Cyclosporiasis a reportable disease. Timely reporting of this illness is critical to preventing and controlling a potential outbreak and allows researchers to identify disease trends.