Outbreak of cyclosporiasis associated with snow peas--Pennsylvania, 2004

Abstract

During June-July 2004, public health officials in Pennsylvania were notified of cases of the parasitic disease cyclosporiasis among persons associated with a residential facility (e.g., residents, staff, and volunteers). CDC confirmed the diagnosis of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection by examining stool specimens from multiple patients. By early July, local public health officials had been notified of approximately 50 potential cases of cyclosporiasis associated with the facility; onsets of illness were from early June through early July. This report describes the findings of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations, which determined the cases were linked to consumption of raw Guatemalan snow peas at five special events, for which food was prepared by the facility staff, from late May through late June. This is the first documented outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to snow peas. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC are working with Guatemalan officials to determine the sources of the snow peas and possible modes of contamination.