Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Reaches Record High
The CDC says the U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to 4,173 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases, with more than 7,400 additional suspected cases still under investigation. The agency said the outbreak spans 41 states, has caused 308 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.
The CDC said the true number of illnesses is likely higher because many people recover without medical care and never get tested for Cyclospora. State counts may also run higher than CDC totals because some states include probable cases, while the federal surveillance page includes only laboratory-confirmed domestic cases.
Cyclospora can spread through contaminated water, and public health experts warn that people with diarrhea should stay out of pools and splash pads so they do not contaminate the water.
Investigators are looking at multiple clusters, including a multistate outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce in five states. On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, and the CDC said it is working with FDA and state partners to identify the source and stop further illnesses. North Carolina health officials said parsley, cilantro, and lettuce were among the foods most frequently mentioned by sick people.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, and it can lead to significant diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. CDC said sick patients ranged from 2 to 95 years old, with a median age of 44.
The 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak appears to be the biggest confirmed U.S. outbreak on record.
