Cases of cyclosporiasis, which causes miserable bouts of “explosive” diarrhea, continue to surge in several states as authorities race to identify a potential source
Michigan, Ohio, New York and Illinois are among the states hit hardest by the parasitic stomach bug, which usually increases during the warmer months in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The infection is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which spreads through food and water contaminated with feces from an infected person, also known as the fecal-oral route. In the U.S., it’s commonly linked to fresh fruits and vegetables
When ingested, cyclospora infects the small intestine and leads to watery, uncontrollable diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Person-to-person spread is highly unlikely
Cyclosporiasis is usually not life-threatening, per the CDC.However, it is extremely unpleasant, and the episodes of severe diarrhea can last for several weeks — which can put a real damper on vacation plans
Amid peak summer and fresh produce season, cyclosporiasis is surging in multiple states. There’s no evidence these clusters are related so far, the CDC says, but investigations are ongoing
Where Are Cyclosporiasis Cases Rising?
Nationally, cyclospora infections have been ramping up since spring
According to the latest surveillance data from the CDC, there were at least 145 cases of cyclosporiasis reported in 17 U.S. states between May 1 and June 16. (This data does not include the recent spikes in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, New York or North Carolina.)
Among those sickened, 20 have been hospitalized
The true number of people infected with cyclospora in the U.S. is likely higher than the numbers being reported “because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for cyclospora,” the CDC said on its website
Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease, which means doctor’s offices, hospitals and laboratories are required to report cases to local and state health departments, which then notify the CDC. This process can take weeks or longer
Several states’ health departments have told TODAY.com and NBC News directly about recent cyclosporiasis spikes
Michigan
In Michigan, health officials are seeing an unprecedented “sudden and large” increase in infections with the diarrhea-causing parasite, TODAY.com reported previously
As of July 8, Michigan has reported 992 cases of cyclosporiasis since the end of June, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. That’s nearly 20 times higher the annual average for the state, which records about 40-50 cases a year, a spokesperson for MDHHS told TODAY.com
The majority of cases are in Southeast Michigan in the following counties: Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston
As of July 2, the Ohio Department of Health has reported at least 177 cyclosporiasis cases in 2026 — of those, 171 occurred since late June, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Health tells TODAY.com
The recent surge in cases in Michigan and bordering Ohio may be part of an “epidemic cluster,” Dr. Brian Kaminski, vice president of medical affairs at ProMedica Health System, who cares for patients in both states, told NBC News
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Health told NBC News that the state has seen 141 cases this year, a “higher than average” number, with no single potential cause identified
New York
New York state has recorded 120 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, a spokesperson for the state health department told TODAY.com in a July 7 statement. Typically, the state records 500-700 cases a year
North Carolina
As of July 6, North Carolina has reported at least 110 cyclospora infections since May, according to a statement from the North Carolina Department of Health to NBC News
Colorado
Colorado has reported 90 cases of cyclosporiasis, a public health spokesperson for the state told NBC News
Indiana
Some 72 cases have been reported in Indiana since May 1, a state spokesperson told NBC news
Texas
Texas has reported 48 cases between May 1 and July 6, resulting in five hospitalizations and no deaths. No commonrtment of Health
Is There a Cyclosporiasis Outbreak in the U.S.?
It’s not out of the norm to see cyclospora infections increase around this time of year. In the U.S., cyclosporiasis season usually lasts from May to August, per the CDC
“The CDC has no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking cases happening right now and being reported in the press,” a spokesperson told NBC News in an email
The CDC and FDA are currently monitoring clusters of cases in multiple states. “We are not in a position at this time to characterize the current numbers as definitively unusual pending the completion of that investigation,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told NBC News
The massive increase in cyclosporiasis in Michigan and other states has prompted investigations into a potential common
The current hypothesis is that contaminated fresh produce is driving the surge, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan, told NBC News. In the past, cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to salad greens, raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions and snow peas
Health officials are urging people to seek treatment if they <a href="https://healthylife7.com/why-the-pharmacy-experience-matters-for-glp-1-outcomes/” title=”Why the Pharmacy Experience Matters for GLP-1 Outcomes”>experience cyclosporiasis symptoms
Cyclosporiasis Symptoms
The most common symptom of cyclosporiasis is sudden, watery diarrhea. According to the CDC, these bowel movements are often frequent and “explosive.”
In addition to diarrhea, people may experience severe stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue, per the Cleveland Clinic
These can last for several days to several weeks or longer. The bouts of diarrhea may occur in cycles and “relapse” after you seem to feel better, the CDC says
It can take up to 14 days after ingesting food or water contaminated with cyclospora for symptoms to start
Compared to norovirus, another common illness that causes GI upset, cyclosporiasis typically takes longer to show symptoms and is more likely to cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping than vomiting, Bagdasarian said
Most healthy people will recover on their own, per the CDC, but the infection can be treated with a combination antibiotic. People with weak immune systems are at higher risk for recurring symptoms and may require more extensive treatment
If you develop signs of cyclosporiasis or sudden bouts of severe gastrointestinal illness, contact your health care provider
How to Prevent Cyclosporiasis
The only way to prevent cyclosporiasis is to avoid food or water that may be contaminated with feces
The New York State Department of Health also offered a few more tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce.
- Thoroughly wash all fresh produce under running water before eating it.
- Scrub fruits and vegetables with a produce brush when possible.
- Cut away any damaged areas on fresh produce before eating.
- Refrigerate fruits and vegetables (cooked or fresh) within two hours of preparing it.
