In a follow-up on the Cyclospora outbreak in the upper-Midwest, health officials from both Wisconsin and Minnesota are reporting increases in cases of the parasitic infection.

Cyclospora oocysts
Oocysts of C. cayetanensis viewed under differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy.
Image/CDC DPDx

In Wisconsin, the bulk of the 98 Cyclospora cases reported this year have been in the past couple weeks. Health officials say dozens of cases are being reported daily and interviews with recently reported patients may not yet be completed.

Most patients interviewed report consuming a Del Monte vegetable tray purchased at a Kwik Trip location in Wisconsin.

Health officials advise consumers not eat 6 oz. or 12 oz. Del Monte vegetable trays (containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip) purchased at a Kwik Trip location.

In Minnesota, state health officials have identified two outbreaks together involving at least three dozen Minnesotans.

One outbreak has been identified among people who ate at Sonora Grill in Minneapolis in mid-May. To date, 17 patrons have reported illness. The restaurant is fully cooperating with the investigation, and investigators say they do not have any indication that there is an ongoing risk to patrons.

A second outbreak has been linked to Del Monte vegetable trays purchased at Kwik Trip locations. To date, 20 cases have been identified among Minnesotans in this outbreak.

Epidemiologist supervisor, Trisha Robinson said, “We do not have any indication at this time that the two outbreaks are related.

“Besides these outbreak cases, there are other cases of cyclosporiasis that do not appear to be related to either of these outbreaks, which is not unexpected for this time of year. We typically see increases in Cyclospora infections from May through August.”