FDA
TALK PAPER

Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857
FDA Talk Papers are prepared by the Press Office to guide FDA personnel in responding with consistency and accuracy to questions from the public on subjects of current interest. Talk Papers are subject to change as more information becomes available. 

                                                                  
T97-22                          Arthur Whitmore:  202-205-4144
June 10, 1997                   CDC Press Office: 404-639-3286
                                
                                Consumer Hotline: 800-532-4440 
  

      OUTBREAKS OF CYCLOSPORIASIS AND GUATEMALAN RASPBERRIES

      We have been receiving inquiries about recent U.S.
outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness resulting from
ingestion of the Cyclospora parasite.  The following may be
useful for answering questions.
      According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, fresh raspberries from Guatemala are the likely cause
of outbreaks of cyclosporiasis that have occurred since mid-April
in at least seven states including California, Maryland,
Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island and Texas. CDC and FDA
are cooperating in investigating the outbreaks, examining
epidemiological evidence and tracing the source of implicated
raspberries.
      FDA and CDC were informed by the Guatemalan government and
the Guatemalan Berries Commission on May 30 that the country's
growers voluntarily suspended shipment of fresh raspberries to
the United States.  FDA is working with CDC, the Guatemalan
government and the Guatemalan Berries Commission to determine
when the country may resume shipment of fresh  raspberries to the
United States. 
      FDA believes that few if any fresh raspberries from
Guatemala remain on the U.S. market due to the short shelf life
of the commodity.  However, if any consumers, distributors,
caterers, restauranteurs or retail establishments are holding
fresh raspberries labeled as Product of Guatemala, they should
not serve, sell or eat them. 
      FDA is advising consumers who have recently eaten fresh
raspberries from Guatemala and who are suffering diarrheal
illness to see a doctor for diagnosis and possible treatment for
cyclosporiasis.
     Cyclospora infects the small intestine and causes watery
diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive bowel movements. 
Other symptoms include loss of appetite, substantial loss of
weight, bloating,  increased gas, stomach cramps, nausea,
vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever and fatigue. Symptoms
usually develop about a week after consuming contaminated
product.  Cyclospora infection can be successfully treated with
appropriate antibiotics.
     FDA will convene a public meeting in July to review the
science on Cyclospora on fresh produce and its control.   The
date and other details of that meeting will be made public when
they are available. 
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