NEWS
CDC ‘disease detectives’ heading to Ohio as cyclosporiasis cases rise
Alex PerryUSA TODAY NETWORK
July 24, 2026, 12:49 p.m. ET
- The CDC has sent investigators to Ohio to help with a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
- Ohio is one of the states most affected, with over 2,500 cases reported this year.
- The outbreak is possibly linked to contaminated lettuce and salad products.
- Symptoms of the intestinal illness include diarrhea, cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent a team of “disease detectives” to Ohio to help investigate a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak possibly linked to contaminated lettuce that has ravaged Ohio and the U.S. throughout July. The investigators are expected to remain in the state for about three weeks
Ohio is among the states hardest hit by the outbreak. Confirmed cyclosporiasis cases have continued to rise and more than doubled from the previous week in the Ohio Department of Health’s latest update on July 23 with the state reporting 2,576 cases this year. ODH counted 988 cases in June and 1,577 in July (through the 23rd), according to the departments infectious disease dashboard
In the meantime, ODH warns consumers to pay attention to public health advisories about recalled or suspect lettuce and salad products, advises seeking medical care and testing if they develop prolonged watery diarrhea, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly
What CDC ‘disease detectives’ are doing to help Ohio with cyclosporiasis tracking
Federal health officials will interview people who tested positive for Cyclospora to identify common foods and locations tied to infections and support the state’s tracing efforts, according to Fox 19
The CDC has deployed Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, often called “disease detectives,” to work alongside Ohio health officials on the outbreak investigation. According to WLWT, the team is focused on identifying where infected people may have been exposed and tracing the
According to the publication, investigators’ efforts include:
- Interviewing people who tested positive for Cyclospora about symptoms and foods they ate before becoming ill.
- Identifying common locations and foods linked to infections.
- Determining whether Ohio’s outbreak is connected to cases reported in neighboring states.
The CDC had the cyclospora outbreak and cyclosporeasis cases in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia were linked on July 14
What are symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, according to the CDC
The illness is usually not life-threatening and can be treated with antibiotics. However, symptoms may last longer in people with weakened immune systems
Common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include diarrhea, cramping, bloating, nausea and fatigue
Some infected people never develop symptoms. However, those who do can remain sick for a month or longer, according to the CDC
