NEWS
Explosive diarrhea cases in Ohio double. Outbreak map, how to prevent
Chad MurphyUSA TODAY NETWORK
Updated July 10, 2026, 7:39 a.m. ET
- Ohio is reporting over 350 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness causing explosive diarrhea.
- The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, with past outbreaks linked to fresh produce.
- The source of the current outbreak has not yet been confirmed by <a href="https://healthylife7.com/what-chronic-inflammation-is-and-how-it-could-affect-your-health/” title=”What chronic inflammation is and how it could affect your health”>health officials.
- The infection is treatable with antibiotics, though it can also clear up on its own in healthy individuals.
- Health officials recommend washing hands and produce thoroughly to help prevent infection.
Ohio is second in the nation for cases of an intestinal parasite that causes explosive diarrhea amid a nationwide outbreak, with the number more than doubling in the past week
As of July 9, the Ohio Department of Health is reporting 364 cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite known as cyclospora cayatenensis, in 51 counties so far in 2026, with 46 people hospitalized. That’s up from 177 in 43 counties the previous week. All but six of those cases occurred in June and July, mostly since June 20
The most cases in Ohio are in Lucas County in the northwest portion of the state, which reports 86, up from 30 the previous week. Wood County, just to the south of Lucas, reports 49 cases, up from 20
Only Michigan has more than Ohio, reporting more than 1,250 cases since June 22, the Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported July 9. Nationwide, USA TODAY reports that more than 1,000 infections have been reported as of July 9 a health and medical news
So far, noth local health departments, Michigan officials and state and federal partners on the investigation. This includes interviewing individuals who are sick and collaborating with partners to identify potential common exposures
What is cyclosporiasis? Illness from cyclospora cayatenensis parasite causes explosive diarrhea
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as cyclospora, according to the CDC. The illness is not usually life-threatening
The parasite spreads when people eat food or drink water that was contaminated with feces. People may be at an increased risk for infection when living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world where cyclosporiasis is regularly occurring
In the U.S., outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce
How is cyclosporiasis treated? With Bactrim? Does it clear up on its own?
According to the CDC, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), which is sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim, is the treatment of choice for the illness caused by the parasite
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are types of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Available as a tablet, it belongs to a group of medications called sulfonamide antibiotics
A cyclosporiasis infection can often clear up on its own in healthy individuals, though symptoms may last several weeks
Which Ohio counties are hit by cyclosporiasis?
These are the counties reporting cyclosporiasis cases as of July 9, and the number of cases, according to ODH:
- Allen: 2
- Ashland: 8
- Auglaize: 1
- Carroll: 12
- Champaign: 1
- Clark: 3
- Clermont: 1
- Crawford: 9
- Cuyahoga: 10
- Fairfield: 5
- Franklin: 14
- Fulton: 12
- Gallia: 3
- Geauga: 1
- Greene: 4
- Hamilton: 7
- Hardin: 2
- Henry: 2
- Holmes: 1
- Jackson: 2
- Jefferson: 2
- Knox: 1
- Lake: 6
- Lawrence: 1
- Licking: 8
- Lorain: 8
- Lucas: 86
- Mahoning: 6
- Marion: 2
- Medina: 2
- Miami: 1
- Montgomery: 6
- Morrow: 2
- Ottawa: 3
- Pickaway: 2
- Portage: 2
- Preble: 1
- Richland: 9
- Ross: 5
- Sandusky: 3
- Scioto: 2
- Seneca: 3
- Stark: 12
- Summit: 4
- Tuscarawas: 2
- Warren: 1
- Washington: 2
- Wayne: 2
- Williams: 1
- Wood: 49
- Wyandot: 23
States reporting cyclosporiasis illnesses
Ohio was No. 2 for cyclosporiasis cases nationwide even before it updated its numbers on July 9:
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How do I know if I have cyclosporiasis? Symptoms, testing
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include:
- Explosive, watery diarrhea (most common)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Less common symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Body aches
- Headache
- Low-grade fever
- Other flu-like symptoms
Symptoms begin about a week after being infected and can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer without treatment. Some symptoms, such as diarrhea, may go away and then return
The illness is diagnosed by testing stool samples, according to the CDC
Cyclosporiasis prevention. How to protect yourself
The CDC says the best way to prevent cyclosporiasis is to avoid food or water that may be contaminated with feces
And to help do that, the agency recommends safe food-handling practices when dealing with produce, including:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).
