Surge in Cyclosporiasis Cases Across Multiple States

3 weeks ago 0

Rising Cyclosporiasis Cases in the U.S.

There has been a significant increase in cyclosporiasis cases, a parasitic illness causing diarrhea, reported across multiple states. Michigan stands out as a major hotspot with over 1,500 cases and 44 hospitalizations, as per Michigan’s Health and Human Services (HHS) department’s data on July 9. Historically, the state usually records around 50 cases annually. Despite the surge, the outbreak’s source remains unidentified.

Other States Affected

Ohio has documented 177 cases. Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Texas also report increased numbers, with cases totaling 141, 120, 110, and 48, respectively. Due to the spike, public health authorities are investigating whether this is an isolated severe outbreak or a broader seasonal trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 145 domestically acquired cases in 17 states between May 1 and June 16. Surveillance data might not reflect the true scale since national data often lag behind state reports.

“Reporting seems inconsistent and perhaps less complete compared to earlier years at a similar point in the cyclospora season,” noted David Relman, Stanford Medicine’s Professor of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology. He pointed out limited data on case clustering and point sources of exposure.

Challenges in Surveillance

The degradation of surveillance resources since early 2025 has affected data collection, said Relman. The Trump administration’s changes to CDC’s monitoring of foodborne illnesses, including cyclospora, have contributed to this situation. Newsweek has reached out to the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for comments.

Comparing Historical Data

Keith Schneider, a food safety professor at the University of Florida, stated, “This is definitely a spike.” Historical data on outbreaks is limited. In 2022, 513 confirmed infections in Florida were linked to contaminated lettuce, according to CDC. Previous years, like 2018 and 2019, recorded higher cases with 3,519 and 4,703 respectively.

In 2026, the country surpassed 1,000 cases midway through peak season. Infections typically rise between May 1 and August 31, correlating with increased consumption of fresh summer produce. Jennifer Acuff, a professor at the University of Arkansas, stated, “We’ve had bigger outbreaks in the past, but this one is growing pretty large at a faster rate than I like to see.”

Source of Cyclospora

A common source is fresh produce exposed to contaminated water or human waste. Cyclospora is mostly linked to fresh vegetables, herbs, and some fruits, particularly berries. Lee-Ann Jaykus from NC State University emphasized the difficulty pinpointing the contamination source due to multi-component food distribution.

“Symptoms appear about a week after exposure, complicating source identification as people struggle to recall their meals,” Jaykus explained.

Unverified claims on social media and reports suggest some Taco Bell locations stopping certain ingredients including lettuce. However, Taco Bell hasn’t commented publicly. Newsweek has contacted Taco Bell for clarification.

Protection Tips

Cyclosporiasis caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis is mostly contracted through contaminated food or water. Washing produce is advised, although it doesn’t kill or completely remove the parasite but helps reduce risk. Symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue appear often. While rarely fatal, the illness can persist for weeks and recur if untreated, posing higher risks for those with weakened immune systems.

Avoiding fresh produce and herbs entirely is an option for immunocompromised individuals until the source is identified, said Acuff.

Relman emphasized that washing has its limitations. “Cyclospora is sticky, and some fruits and vegetables can’t be easily cleaned, so washing is imperfect. Prevention at the farm level and detecting and removing contaminated produce are preferred methods.”