UPDATE: Outbreak investigation of Cyclospora illnesses linked to imported fresh basil, July 2019
In 2019 multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified and found to be linked to different produce items, including imported fresh basil. On November 19, 2019, CDC issued a final update for the total number of domestically-acquired cases of Cyclospora in 2019, stating that 10 percent of the 2019 cases were linked to this outbreak associated with imported fresh basil.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that is so small it can only be seen under a microscope. When people eat food or drink water that’s contaminated with Cyclospora, they can get an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.