Outbreaks associated with Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium

Parasites have frequently been implicated in food and waterborne outbreaks in the U.S. and elsewhere. This may be related to the development of more sensitive and specific assays for parasite identification and changes in diet and food consumption habits. To satisfy the demands of consumers, more fresh produce is being imported. Food management and production practices in developing countries are not necessarily similar to those in the developed world. This chapter covers the parasites cryptosporidium and cyclospora, as they have been implicated in several food and waterborne outbreaks.