Cyclosporiasis 
Annual Summary of Reportable Diseases

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected by ingesting food or water contaminated with the parasite. There were 42 Cyclospora cases reported in 2022 (0.74 per 100,000 population). This is markedly higher than the median number of cases reported from 2012 to 2021 (median, 14; range, 0 to 156 per year). In 2022, 59% of cases occurred in people who resided in the metropolitan area. 

The median age of cases was 37.5 years (range, 21 to 79 years). Fifty-seven percent were female. Of the 41 cases for which race was reported, 36 (88%) were white, one (2%) was Black, one (2%) was Asian, and three (7%) were other race. Four (10%) were Hispanic. Five percent were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 11 days (range, 7 to 15 days). Fifty-five percent of infections occurred from May through July. Of the 36 non-outbreak cases for whom data were available, 10 (28%) reported travel outside the United States during the two weeks prior to illness onset.

One foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis was identified in Minnesota in 2022. This was an outbreak associated with an unknown vehicle at a restaurant, accounting for 6 laboratory-confirmed cases.

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There were 66 Cyclospora cases reported in 2021 (1.17 per 100,000 population). This is markedly higher than the median number of cases reported from 2011 to 2020 (median, 4.5; range, 0 to 156 per year). In 2021, 32% of cases occurred in people who resided in the metropolitan area. 

The median age of cases was 52.5 years (range, 6 to 84 years). Fifty-five percent were female. Of the 63 cases where race was reported, 56 (89%) were white, 2 (3%) were Black, and 5 (8%) were Other race. Seven (11%) were Hispanic. Six percent were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 4 days (range, 2 to 7 days). Eighty-two percent of infections occurred from May through July. Of the 34 non-outbreak cases for whom data were available, 7 (21%) reported travel outside the United States during the 2 weeks prior to illness onset. 

Two foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified in Minnesota in 2021. The first was a multi-state outbreak associated with pre-packaged romaine lettuce, accounting for 22 laboratory-confirmed Minnesota cases. The second was a multi-state outbreak associated with butter lettuce, accounting for 2 laboratory-confirmed Minnesota cases.

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There were 143 Cyclospora cases reported in 2020 (2.56 per 100,000 population). This is markedly higher than the median number of cases reported from 2010 to 2019 (median, 3.5; range, 0 to 156 per year). In 2020, 27% of cases occurred in people who resided in the metropolitan area. 

The median age of cases was 59 years (range, 19 to 89 years). Fifty percent were female. Two percent were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 2 days (range, 1 to 4 days). Eighty-six percent of infections occurred during May through July. Of the 32 non-outbreak cases for whom data were available, none reported travel outside the United States during the 2 weeks prior to illness onset. 

Two foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified in Minnesota in 2020. The first was a multi-state outbreak associated with a pre-packaged salad, accounting for 87 laboratory-confirmed Minnesota cases. The second was a multi-state outbreak associated with a home-delivery grocery service, accounting for 5 laboratory-confirmed Minnesota cases.

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There were 136 Cyclospora cases reported in 2019 (2.42 per 100,000 population). This is markedly higher than the median number of cases reported from 2009 to 2018 (median, 2; range, 0 to 156 per year). In 2019, 38% of cases occurred in people who resided in the metropolitan area.

The median age of cases was 44.5 years (range, 16 to 83 years). Seventytwo percent were female. Five percent were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 5 days (range, 2 to 38 days). Eighty-five percent of infections occurred during May through July. Of the 92 non-outbreak cases for whom data were available, 13 (14%) reported travel outside the United States during the 2 weeks prior to illness onset.

One foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis was identified, a multistate outbreak associated with fresh basil. The outbreak accounted for 37 laboratory-confirmed Minnesota cases, with sub-clusters at an Olmsted County restaurant (26 cases), a St. Louis County catered conference (4 cases), a St. Louis County restaurant (3 cases), and a Hennepin County restaurant (2 cases); 2 Minnesota cases were exposed at a restaurant in another state.

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There were 156 cyclosporiasis cases reported in 2018 (2.80 per 100,000 population). This is markedly higher than the number of cases reported from 2008 to 2017 (range, 0 to 23 per year). In 2018, 44% of cases occurred in people who resided in the metropolitan area.

The median age of cases was 41 years (range, 13 to 88 years). Fifty-three percent were female. Three percent were hospitalized; the median length of hospitalization was 3 days (range, 2 to 8 days). Ninety percent of cases occurred during May through July. Of the 53 non-outbreak cases for whom data were available, 11 (20.1%) reported travel outside the United States during the 2 weeks prior to illness onset.

Four confirmed foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified in 2018, accounting for 100 laboratoryconfirmed cases. A multi-state outbreak associated with vegetable trays purchased at convenience stores resulted in 62 Minnesota cases (all laboratory-confirmed). An outbreak associated with cilantro consumption at two independent restaurants in Hennepin County resulted in 73 cases (19 laboratory-confirmed). An outbreak associated with basil consumption at a restaurant in Ramsey County resulted in 16 cases (8 laboratory-confirmed). A multistate outbreak associated with salads at a fast food restaurant resulted in 11 Minnesota cases (all laboratoryconfirmed).

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• Archive of Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health
  Archive of past summaries (years prior to 2023 are available as PDFs).