Surveillance of Cyclosporiasis

Overview

Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease and is reportable in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. Regardless of if it is reportable in a state, it is important for healthcare providers and the public to inform local health departments about potential cases and clusters of the disease so that they can take appropriate action in preventing additional cases.

Surveillance

CDC, along with state and federal health and regulatory officials, monitor cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States year-round to detect outbreaks linked to a common food source. This aids in swiftly identifying and investigating outbreaks. CDC and other agencies are working to further develop and validate molecular-level tools for linking C. cayetanensis cases.

Case counts usually rise in the spring and summer months. In 2023, cases were reported starting in April.

2023 fast facts

• Illnesses: 2,272
• Hospitalizations: 186
• Deaths: 0
• States that reported cases: 40
• Investigation status: Closed

Final update

As of October 24, 2023, 41 jurisdictions, including 40 states and New York City, reported a total of 2,272 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis (including the clusters that were under investigation by the FDA). These individuals had not traveled outside of the United States during the 14 days before they got sick.

This was an increase of 315 cases since the last update on August 31, 2023. Sick people ranged in age from 2 – 96 years, with a median age of 51, and 57% were female. The median illness onset date was June 24, 2023 (range: April 1 – August 31). Of 2,242 people with information available, 186 were hospitalized. Zero deaths occurred.

Local, state, and federal (CDC, FDA) public health authorities investigated multiple potential clusters of cases during 2023.

Location of 2023 cases

This map shows where the 2,272 people with cyclosporiasis acquired in the U.S. between April 1 – August 31, 2023, lived. Cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to these states with known cases. The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis was likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

*These data (including the data from previous updates) include case data reported directly to the Cyclospora surveillance program at CDC. Case counts may not match exactly with what is listed in the Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System tables. New York State includes case reports from New York City. In Pennsylvania, cases are reported voluntarily. Data are preliminary and subject to change. For questions related to the number of cases reported in each state, contact that state's health department.

Resources

• Reporting a foodborne disease outbreak (general public)
• Report a Problem with Food
• Foodborne Diseases Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation Toolkit (Health Departments)
• Cyclosporiasis National Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire
• FDOSS Home | Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS)| CDC
• Common Edible Peas in the United States (cdc.gov)

• Historic Foodborne Outbreak Surveillance Data