FDA and CDC Developed strategy to prevent illnesses caused by Cyclospora

According to the CDC, there were nearly 3,000 reported cases of cyclosporiasis in 2018. In 2018, an outbreak tied to salads sold in a quick-service restaurant chain made more than 500 people sick in 15 states, and another associated with prepackaged vegetable trays made 250 people ill in four states. Reported cases increase during May-July. So far in 2019, 23 cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis have been reported. In early June, representatives of the FDA, CDC, industry, and academia participated in a scientific workshop to discuss gaps in detection methods and plans for the development of tools that will help keep this parasite out of pre- and post-harvest foods. CDC is working to make reporting easier by improving and expanding web-based reporting. The FDA and CDC are improving how they share information with each other, to help facilitate rapid identification and investigation of cyclosporiasis clusters. Last year, the FDA began using a new method, developed and validated by FDA scientists, to detect Cyclospora in food. Another method was developed for water.@ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices-perspectives-fda-leadership-and-experts/fda-cdc-develop-robust-strategy-prevent-illnesses-caused-cyclospora?utm_campaign=FDA%20Voices%20Cyclospora&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua