1993 Outbreak of Cryptosporidium Infections Linked to Agricultural Fair Apple Cider, Maine
Students and staff who attended an agricultural fair in central Maine subsequently developed diarrhea and vomiting. Illness was associated with drinking fresh pressed apple cider. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in the apple cider, on the cider press, and in the stool specimen of a calf on the farm that supplied the apples. This was the first large cryptosporidiosis outbreak in which foodborne transmission was documented.
- Outbreak began:
- October 1993
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Maine
- Organism(s):
-
- Cryptosporidium
- Vehicle(s):
- Fruit Beverage, Juice, apple
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Fair
- Brand Name(s):
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Unknown
-
- Recall Links:
- None
- Total ill:
- 160
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 50
- Number Probable Cases:
- 110
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Number Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Any Deaths:
- Unknown
- Number Dead:
- Unknown
- Any References:
- Yes