2004 Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Linked to Imported Snow Peas, Pennsylvania

Raw, Guatemalan snow peas were served in various dishes at five different events at a residential facility and led to an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis. No illnesses were attributable to other meals served at the facility. Pasta salad was the only food item statistically associated with illness. The pasta salad included multiple types of raw produce, none of which have been implicated in previous outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. Of the produce used in the pasta salad, only snow peas were used in all batches of event pasta salads and the same lot of snow peas was used to make the salads. The snow peas were not served at other residential facility meals. The snow peas were traced to an exporter in Guatemala. This was the first documented outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to snow peas.

Overview

Outbreak began:June 2004
Affected country:US
States/territories:PA
Pathogen:Cyclospora
Vehicle(s):Snow Peas
Location(s):Residential Facility
Molecular test results:no

Health impact

Total ill:116

Sources & documents

Report / reference links