The Iowa Department of Public Health, in collaboration with local public health partners reports  investigating an increasing number of Cyclospora infections this year.

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

Since the beginning of the year, 44 Cyclospora infections have been reported in 15 Iowa counties, with the bulk of the cases reported since mid-May.

Five of the cases are associated with a multistate outbreak associated with vegetable trays sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star and Tobacco Outlet stores.

In an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today, the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Del Monte Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays has increased by 27 cases, bringing the total to 212 cases in four states, including Iowa.

Seven of these people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Cyclospora is a parasite that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. Its full name is Cyclospora cayetanensis. Cases of Cyclospora infection (cyclosporiasis) have been reported with increased frequency since the mid-1980s. In the last several years, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the United States and Canada.