An Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in 1996 Associated with Consumption of Fresh Berries - Ontario

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A large foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis occurred in North America in 1996. An index cluster of cases associated with a catered event on May 11, 1996, in Ontario sparked the recognition of this outbreak in Canada.OBJECTIVES: To describe the Ontario experience with the North American outbreak of cyclosporiasis in 1996.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Public health units investigated the index and subsequent event-associated clusters. Investigations included retrospective cohort studies of clusters, traceback of suspect foods and a case-control study of sporadic cases. These activities, coordinated with those in the United States, were part of an international investigation.RESULTS: In Ontario, 232 cases of cyclosporiasis (20 laboratory-confirmed and 72 clinically defined cases associated with seven events plus 140 additional laboratory-confirmed sporadic cases) were identified between May 1 and July 30, 1996. For the index cluster, a strawberry flan with raspberries and blueberries was the only significant exposure (relative risk 2.16, P=0.02). Fresh berries were served at all seven events associated with clusters of cases. Raspberries were definitely served at three events, possibly served at three events, and not served at one event. Only imported berries were available in Ontario in May 1996, when initial clusters and sporadic cases were identified. The raspberries served at the two events with well documented traceback data came from Guatemala. Univariate analyses of the matched case-control study demonstrated that illness was associated with consumption of raspberries (matched odds ratio 21.0, 95% CI 3.48 to 448) and strawberries (matched odds ratio 28.5, 95% CI 4.02 to 478). Further evidence amassed by the international investigation compellingly implicated Guatemalan raspberries as the vehicle of the outbreak.CONCLUSION: Cyclosporiasis may be acquired domestically from the consumption of contaminated produce. The scope and vehicle of this international foodborne outbreak were recognized through a coordinated public health response.