Cyclospora Parasite Sickens Nearly 7,000 Americans Across 34 States and Cases Are Still Rising
The Outbreak Is Expanding Fast
A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has infected people across 34 U.S. states since May, with nearly 7,000 confirmed or probable cases now reported, a figure far beyond anything seen during the same period in recent years. The CDC issued a Health Alert Network notice on July 15 confirming 1,645 lab-verified cases and more than 5,100 additional probable cases under investigation, all in people who ate contaminated food in the United States.
No specific food product, grower, retailer, or restaurant chain has been confirmed as the source. No recall has been issued as of July 15, 2026. The investigation is ongoing.
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Why This Matters
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, and it spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with human fecal matter containing the parasite’s infectious form. It does not spread directly from person to person, which means the sustained rise in cases points to a contaminated food supply that continues to circulate.
The CDC confirmed that the 1,645 lab-verified cases represent a six-fold increase over the 249 confirmed cases reported nationally by the same date in 2025. When the more than 5,100 probable cases are included, the 2026 total is roughly 27 times higher than last year’s comparable figure — what CDC officials publicly described as a “very big shift” from previous seasons.
If you have consumed fresh produce recently, especially salad greens or items eaten raw, and developed prolonged watery diarrhea, you may want to speak with a clinician who can order the specific test needed to detect this parasite.
What We Know So Far
According to the CDC’s active surveillance page, all 1,645 confirmed domestic cases are in individuals who became ill after eating in the United States and reported no international travel in the 14 days before their symptoms began. Sick individuals range in age from 2 to 95 years, with a median age of 44. Of the confirmed cases, 141 — approximately 9% — required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
The CDC’s Health Alert Network notice identifies at least one confirmed multistate cluster involving more than 400 cases across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Investigators are simultaneously examining several other clusters in additional states, as well as cases that have not yet been linked to any cluster.
Cyclospora season typically runs from May 1 through August 31, with case counts rising through the summer. CDC officials have noted two potential peaks in illness onset dates — one around June 25 and another around July 7 — which investigators say may point to two separate contaminated food events.
Where the Risk Is Highest
Michigan has been hit hardest, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reporting more than 3,300 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 13, according to Today.com reporting. The state has interviewed more than 1,000 patients and said preliminary results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for the Michigan cluster — though officials emphasized they have not ruled out other foods or suppliers.
New York State reported approximately 394 cases since May 1, according to state health officials. Ohio confirmed at least 364 cases as of July 10, with more than 171 occurring since late June. North Carolina confirmed 240 infections since May.
The fact that cases are concentrated in the Midwest but spread broadly across 34 states suggests a widely distributed food product — one that reaches grocery stores, restaurants, and food service operations across the country.
What Doctors and Experts Say
Dr. Kawsar Talaat, a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital board-certified in pediatrics, internal medicine, and infectious diseases, told NPR that cyclosporiasis can present with a distinctive pattern. “If the diarrhea goes away and comes back, that’s another sign of a potential Cyclospora infection,” Dr. Talaat said. She also warned that standard stool tests for diarrheal illness cannot detect the parasite — clinicians must specifically request a Cyclospora test.
Dr. Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, told reporters this is “much, much higher than what we’ve seen last year or the year before” and called the pattern “a very big shift” from typical cyclosporiasis seasons.
Dr. Brian Kaminski, vice president of medical affairs at ProMedica Health System in Michigan and Ohio, described how the case surge first became apparent clinically: “When we started seeing cases of persistent diarrhea showing up, we knew there’s something going on.”
What the Evidence Shows and What It Does Not
Cyclospora outbreaks are consistently linked to fresh produce consumed raw — previous outbreak investigations have identified raspberries, fresh herbs, and salad greens as sources in past seasons, according to CDC historical outbreak data. However, the current outbreak source has not been confirmed.
Michigan’s suggestion of lettuce or salad greens is preliminary and based on patient interviews, not product testing or traceback confirmation. No food product from any grower, supplier, or distributor has been identified. Public health officials have not issued any food safety guidance specifically telling people to avoid a particular item.
Cyclospora investigations are known to be especially difficult, because there is typically a weeks-long lag between when someone gets sick and when the case is reported. By the time a cluster is identified, the contaminated product may have already been consumed, sold out, or discarded.
MedicalDaily Evidence Check
- Outbreak source: Under active investigation by CDC, FDA, and state health departments
- Lab-confirmed cases: 1,645 in 34…
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