Category Archives: Cyclosporiasis

UK – Man contracts Cyclospora after Mexican holiday; others report illnesses.

Posted on September 22, 2022 | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A family in England fell sick while on holiday in Mexico with at least one of them having a confirmed Cyclospora infection.

Philip Whitmore tested positive for Cyclospora after speaking with a doctor about his symptoms.

The 61-year-old said he was shocked after being told of the diagnosis and learning how the disease can be contracted.

“I did not expect to visit a five-star hotel and contract such an illness. Being a retired chef with 40 years of professional catering experience, I did notice some concerning issues around food hygiene as the holiday went on, but I never thought that most of my family would become so unwell,” he said.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Canada – Non-travel related Cyclospora infections under investigation – September 9, 2022

Posted on September 12, 2022 | Leave a comment

Public Health Notice

Each spring and summer, Canada sees an increase in non-travel related Cyclospora illnesses reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). PHAC is working with its public health and food safety partners to identify possible ways infections are occurring in Canada. Previous Cyclospora illnesses have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, including pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, berries, lettuce, and snow and snap peas.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms and risks of infection, as well as how to prevent and treat an illness.

At a glance
Investigation status Ongoing
Case count 310
Provinces/Territories
  • Alberta (1)
  • British Columbia (3)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador (3)
  • Ontario (252)
  • Quebec (51)
Hospitalizations 13
Deaths 0
Gender
  • 150 Males
  • 159 Females
  • Gender is unknown for 1 case
Age Range in Years 1-90
Recall No
Public Health Notice No

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

USA – FDA Core Table – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on September 9, 2022 | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • For the Salmonella Mississippi outbreak (ref# 1097) in a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 99 to 100 cases.
  • For the Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak (ref# 1087) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 22 to 27 cases.
  • For the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (ref# 1095) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 73 to 78 cases.
  • For the Cyclospora outbreak (ref# 1080) the case count has increased from 75 to 79 cases.
  • For the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak (ref# 1075) the FDA investigation has closed. A product linked to illnesses was not identified.
  • The investigation associated with Dry Cereal (ref # 1064) has ended and the FDA investigation has closed with no pathogen or cause of the self-reported illnesses identified, despite extensive testing for numerous potential microbial and chemical adulterants.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, Decontamination Microbial, FDA, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Salmonella

USA – Domestically Acquired Cases of Cyclosporiasis — United States, May–August 2022

Posted on September 2, 2022 | Leave a comment

CDC

LAST UPDATED AUGUST 25, 2022 4:00 PM EDT

Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically acquired”). The exact timing and duration of these seasonal increases in domestically acquired cyclosporiasis can vary, but reports tend to increase starting in May. In previous years the reported number of cases peaked between June and July, although activity can last as late as September. The overall health impact (e.g., number of infections or hospitalizations) and the number of identified clusters of cases (i.e., cases that can be linked to a common exposure) also vary from season to season. Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.

At a Glance
  • Illnesses: 800
  • Hospitalizations: 52
  • Deaths: 0
  • States reporting cases: 30

CDC, along with state and federal health and regulatory officials, monitor cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States in the spring and summer months to detect outbreaks linked to a common food source. However, many cases of cyclosporiasis cannot be directly linked to an outbreak, in part because of the lack of validated laboratory “fingerprinting” methods needed to link cases of Cyclospora infection. Officials use questionnaires to interview sick people to determine what they ate in the 14-day period before illness onset. If a commonality is found, CDC and partners work quickly to determine if a contaminated food product is still available in stores or in peoples’ homes and issue advisories.

Latest Information

  • The number of reported cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis illnesses has increased by 416 cases since the last update on July 28, 2022. Cases continue to be reported.
  • As of August 23, 2022, 800 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in people who had no history of international travel during the 14-day period before illness onset have been reported to CDC by 31 jurisdictions, including 30 states and New York City, since May 1, 2022.
    • The median illness onset date is June 29, 2022 (range: May 3, 2022–August 12, 2022).
    • At least 52 people have been hospitalized; 0 deaths have been reported.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak

FDA – Core Outbreak Table – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on September 1, 2022 | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • An outbreak of Salmonella Mississippi (ref# 1097) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table and FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak (ref# 1081) in a not yet identified food, sample collection and analysis have been initiated.
  • For the Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak (ref# 1087) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 22 to 25 cases.
  • For the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (ref# 1095) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 62 to 73 cases, an on-site inspection and sample collection and analysis has been initiated.
  • For the Cyclospora outbreak (ref# 1080) the case count has increased from 70 to 75.
  • For the Cyclospora outbreak (ref# 1084), the case count has increased from 41 to 42.
  • For the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak (ref# 1075), the case count increased from 74 to 75.
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref# 1057) linked to ice cream, FDA initiated an on-site inspection.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA Coe Investigation Table Update

Posted on August 18, 2022 | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref# 1081) in an unidentified product was added to the table and FDA has initiated a traceback investigation. CDC has issued an Investigation Notice.
  • An outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg (ref# 1087) in an unidentified product was added to the table.
  • An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref# 1095) in an unidentified product was added to the table and traceback has been initiated.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup (ref# 1075) in an unidentified product, the outbreak has ended.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora in an unidentified product (ref# 1084), the case count has increased from 77 to 98.
  • For the outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses linked to fresh strawberries (ref# 1066), the FDA investigation has closed and the outbreak is over.
Date
Posted		 Ref
 Pathogen
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case Count
Status
8/17/

2022

 1081 E. coli
O157:H7		 Not Yet Identified See CDC Investigation Notice Active
8/17/

2022

 1087 Salmonella
Senftenberg		 Not Yet Identified 19 Active
8/17/

2022

 1095 Salmonella
Typhimurium		 Not Yet Identified 44 Active
8/3/

2022

 1080 Cyclospora Not Yet Identified 6 Active
7/27/

2022

 1084 Cyclospora Not Yet Identified 98 Active
6/29/

2022

 1076 Not Yet Identified Frozen Food See Outbreak
Advisory		 Active
6/22/

2022

 1075 Salmonella
Braenderup		 Not Yet Identified 74 Active
6/22/

2022

 1072 Salmonella
Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+		 Not Identified 14 Closed
6/15/

2022

 1070 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not Identified 12 Closed
6/8/

2022

 1068 E. coli
O157:H7		 Not Identified 10 Closed
6/1/

2022

 1066 Hepatitis A Virus Strawberries See Outbreak
Advisory		 Closed
5/25/

2022

 1067 Salmonella 
Senftenberg		 Peanut Butter See Outbreak Advisory Closed
4/20/

2022

 1064 Not Yet
Identified		 Dry Cereal 558 adverse
event reports		 Active
4/13/

2022

 1057 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Ice Cream See Outbreak Advisory Active
3/30/

2022

 1060 None
Identified		 Meal Replacement
Drink		 6 adverse
event reports		 Closed
3/16/

2022

 1055 Salmonella
Saintpaul		 Not Identified 60 Closed
2/17/

2022

 1056 Cronobacter
sakazakii		 Powdered
Infant
Formula		 See
Advisory		 Active (IMG)
2/9/

2022

 1040 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not Identified 20 Closed
2/2/

2022

 1054 Enteroinvasive
E. coli
O143:H26		 Not
Identified		 16 Closed
1/10/

2022

 1050 E. coli
O121:H19		 Romaine 4 Closed

Leave a comment

Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

Posted on August 11, 2022 | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora in an unidentified food (ref # 1084) the total case count has increased from 60 to 77.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen or
Cause of Illness
 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case Count		 Status
8/3/

2022

 1080 Cyclospora Not Yet Identified 6 Active
7/27/

2022

 1084 Cyclospora Not Yet Identified 77 Active
6/29/

2022

 1076 Not Yet Identified Frozen Food See Outbreak
Advisory		 Active
6/22/

2022

 1075 Salmonella
Braenderup		 Not Yet Identified 74 Active
6/22/

2022

 1072 Salmonella
Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+		 Not Identified 14 Closed
6/15/

2022

 1070 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not Identified 12 Closed
6/8/

2022

 1068 E. coli
O157:H7		 Not Identified 10 Closed
6/1/

2022

 1066 Hepatitis A Virus Strawberries See Outbreak
Advisory		 Active
5/25/

2022

 1067 Salmonella 
Senftenberg		 Peanut Butter See Outbreak Advisory Closed
4/20/

2022

 1064 Not Yet
Identified		 Dry Cereal 558 adverse
event reports		 Active
4/13/

2022

 1057 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Ice Cream See Outbreak Advisory Active
3/30/

2022

 1060 None
Identified		 Meal Replacement
Drink		 6 adverse
event reports		 Closed
3/16/

2022

 1055 Salmonella
Saintpaul		 Not Identified 60 Closed
2/17/

2022

 1056 Cronobacter
sakazakii		 Powdered
Infant
Formula		 See
Advisory		 Active (IMG)
2/9/

2022

 1040 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not Identified 20 Closed
2/2/

2022

 1054 Enteroinvasive
E. coli
O143:H26		 Not
Identified		 16 Closed
1/10/

2022

 1050 E. coli
O121:H19		 Romaine 4 Closed

Leave a comment

Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Cyclospora Illnesses Spike to 384 Sick with 30 Hospitalized

Posted on August 3, 2022 | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Cyclospora Illnesses Spike to 384 Sick with 30 Hospitalized

Cyclospora illnesses have spiked to 384 sick in 22 states and 30 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There has been a cyclospora outbreak, in fact, usually several cyclospora outbreaks, in the United States during the spring and summer months every year since 2013. This is an increase of 323 cases since the last update was issued on June 30, 2022. Cases are still being reported.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

USA – FDA Shares Updates on Cyclospora Action Plan

Posted on July 26, 2022 | Leave a comment

Food Safety Magazine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its constituents about the agency’s ongoing Cyclospora cayetanensis prevention and research efforts. In 2021, FDA released its “Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan.” The action plan was developed by the agency’s Cyclospora Task Force and details FDA’s strategy for reducing the public health burden of foodborne cyclosporiasis in the U.S. It also defines the agency’s priorities for Cyclospora food safety research and supports ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness in alignment with FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative.

Since releasing the Cyclospora action plan, FDA has made progress on several goals. The agency’s activities related to the Cyclospora action plan include:

  • Collaboration with the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods to develop a charge document that will inform FDA’s prioritization of Cyclospora research and propose novel food safety research projects in collaboration with stakeholders
  • Implementation of a genotyping approach for Cyclospora in environmental and food samples based on the same method published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Implementation of a distance learning plan and a series of Cyclospora methodology training webinars on the “Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 19b – Detection of C. cayetanensis in Fresh Produce” using a real-time PCR-analytical method in Spanish for regulatory lab personnel at food safety authorities in Mexico through the FDA-SENASICA-Cofepris Food Safety Partnership
  • Collaborated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to publish an article in Food Safety Magazine summarizing the data on all cyclosporiasis outbreaks from 2013 to 2020
  • Delivered eight webinars directed to the fresh produce industry, regulators, and other stakeholders for Cyclospora outreach and educational purposes
  • Completed a microbial survey of fresh herbs that included over 800 samples tested for C. cayetanensis.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, FDA, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, food safety training, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Canada – Mystery Cyclospora Outbreak spreads to Canada

Posted on July 11, 2022 | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Public Heath Canada is working with its public health and food safety partners to identify possible ways non-travel related Cyclospora infections are occurring in Canada.

As of June 30, a total of 84 cases of Cyclospora infections were reported in the following provinces: British Columbia (1), Ontario (75), and Quebec (8). 4 individuals have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. To date, there is no recall or Public Health Notice, the investigation is ongoing.

In case you are experiencing Cyclosporiasis symptoms such as watery diarrhea (most common), cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, and possibly vomiting and low-grade fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Leave a comment

Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Protozoan