HEALTH
KY health department confirms 100 cases of cyclosporiasis since May
Lillian MetzmeierRuby GrisinCaroline NealLouisville Courier Journal
July 10, 2026, 5:30 p.m. ET
Dozens of Kentucky residents have contracted the parasitic infection cyclosporiasis since the start of the 2026 outbreak in May, Kentucky Department for Public Health spokesperson Beth Fisher confirmed in a July 10 release
The department has received 100 reports of cases of cyclosporiasis since May, Fisher said, with nine cases confirmed in Jefferson County and one in Oldham County. At least seven hospitalizations have been reported
“Public health <a href="https://healthylife7.com/nutrition-experts-reveal-the-20-best-foods-to-support-fat-loss/” title=”Nutrition Experts Reveal the 20 Best Foods to Support Fat Loss”>experts urge everyone to follow food-safety guidelines to avoid cyclosporiasis and other intestinal illnesses,” Fisher said in the release. “These include washing hands with soap and water before and after handling raw fruits and vegetables, as well as refrigerating cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours.”
Kentucky typically receives 35 reports each year in total, she added
On July 9, officials confirmed Norton Healthcare physicians had diagnosed 16 cases of cyclosporiasis in adult patients over the past three weeks, none of which required hospitalization. In comparison, providers only saw 13 positive tests for the entire year in 2025
“I want to emphasize that this is not a new germ,” Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Kris Bryant said. “Cases of cyclosporiasis tend to increase every year during the summer. What is new is that some states in the Midwest, including Michigan and Ohio, are reporting hundreds of cases.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. Infections can spread by consuming food or water containing the parasite, and the illness is usually not life-threatening
The diagnoses come as U.S. cases recently topped 1,000 across multiple states, including Illinois, Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee As of July 6, Michigan led the country with 700 cases, 36 of which resulted in hospitalizations
Those with relatively healthy immune systems can expect symptoms to improve on their own, with antibiotics available for those who are experiencing more severity. Those with compromised immune systems, prolonged diarrhea and symptoms of dehydration should seek medical care, Bryant said
Investigations into the infection are ongoing, Bryant said. It is not yet clear why health care providers are seeing a higher number of cases
This story may be updated
