What to Know About the Current Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Public health officials are investigating an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis.
Although the name may be unfamiliar, the practical guidance is straightforward: be alert for persistent watery diarrhea, practice careful food handling, and contact your physician if concerning symptoms develop.
What is Happening?
As of July 13, 2026, the CDC had received reports of 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases acquired within the United States across 34 states. Of the patients for whom information was available, 141 were hospitalized, and no deaths had been reported. These figures include several groups of cases under investigation as well as cases that have not yet been linked to a shared source.
One specific multistate outbreak includes more than 400 reported cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The CDC cautions that illnesses may extend beyond these states because reporting and investigation can take several weeks. At this time, investigators have not identified a confirmed food source, so there is not currently a specific food that everyone is being advised to avoid.
What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis occurs when someone consumes food or water contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. In the United States, outbreaks have most often been associated with fresh produce.
Unlike many common stomach illnesses, cyclosporiasis is not typically spread directly from one person to another. After the parasite leaves an infected person’s body, it generally needs time in the environment before it becomes capable of infecting someone else.
What Symptoms Should I Watch For?
The most characteristic symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Abdominal cramping, bloating, or increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Occasionally vomiting, a low-grade fever, headache, or body aches
Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure, although they can appear anywhere from approximately two days to two weeks or longer afterward. Without treatment, symptoms may last for several weeks and can sometimes improve temporarily before returning.
When Should I Contact My Physician?
Contact your physician if you develop persistent or recurrent watery diarrhea, particularly if it lasts more than a few days or is accompanied by weight loss, significant fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or signs of dehydration.
Seek more urgent medical attention if you experience:
- Difficulty keeping fluids down
- Dizziness, faintness, or confusion
- Very little urination
- Severe weakness
- Significant abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool
- A high fever
Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant patients, and those with underlying medical conditions should generally contact their physician earlier. Because routine stool testing does not always include Cyclospora, your physician may need to specifically request testing for the parasite. In some situations, more than one stool sample may be necessary.
Is It Treatable?
Yes. The preferred treatment is a prescription antibiotic combination called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly known by the brand name Bactrim.
Many otherwise healthy people eventually recover without medication, but the illness can be prolonged or repeatedly return. Treatment decisions should be made with your physician, particularly if you have a sulfa allergy, are pregnant or breastfeeding, take other medications, or have kidney disease or another significant medical condition.
How Can I Reduce My Risk?
Because investigators have not yet identified a specific source, the CDC recommends standard food-safety precautions:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food.
- Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking them.
- Wash produce even when it is labeled “pre-washed.”
- Scrub firm produce, such as cucumbers and melons, with a clean produce brush.
- Remove damaged or bruised portions.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce within two hours.
- Follow current FDA and CDC food-recall notices.
- Washing produce can reduce contamination, but it cannot guarantee that every Cyclospora organism will be removed. Routine chemical produce washes and sanitizers have also not been shown to reliably kill the parasite.
There is no need to stop eating fruits and vegetables altogether. The goal is to handle produce thoughtfully and remain attentive to emerging public-health guidance.
Bottom Line
Cyclosporiasis is usually treatable and is not generally life-threatening, but it can cause a persistent and exhausting diarrheal illness. Since the source of the current increase has not yet been confirmed, the most important steps are careful food handling and prompt communication with your physician if symptoms arise.
Information current as of July 15, 2026. Public-health guidance may change as the investigation progresses.
