The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas officials have been investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections in the state of Texas.  According to the CDC, reported cyclosporiasis cases have returned to baseline levels in Texas.

As of August 26, 2014, CDC has been notified of 133 cases of Cyclospora infection in Texas among Texas residents who did not travel outside the country within the two weeks prior to becoming ill.  Four hospitalizations have been reported in Texas.  Texas state health officials reported that most cases of the illness occurred in June and July 2014.

Epidemiological and traceback investigations have been conducted at four different restaurants in Texas, where multiple unrelated ill persons reportedly have eaten. All the ill persons in these four clusters reported having eaten a food item containing fresh cilantro in the 2-14 days before they became ill.  Preliminary FDA and Texas state traceback investigation indicates that cilantro suppliers in Puebla, Mexico were a source of the cilantro that was served at the four restaurants.

Also as of August 26, 2014, the CDC had been notified of 304 ill persons with confirmed Cyclospora infection in 2014; of these, 207 ill persons from the following states had no history of international travel within two weeks before onset of illness: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (and New York City), Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington.

  • Most (133; 64%) of the cases were reported from Texas.
  • Most (133; 64%) of the cases were reported in July 2014.
  • Most (176; 85%) of the illness onset dates occurred in June and July.
  • Among 183 persons with available information, 7 (4%) have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
  • Among 204 persons with available information, ill persons range in age from 3 to 88 years, with a median age of 49 years.
  • Among 204 persons with available information, 115 (56%) of ill persons are female.