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Twenty additional confirmed cyclosporiasis cases were added to the Wake County dashboard Thursday. This brings the total case count to 236 so far this season. At least five people have been hospitalized.
Statewide, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services weekly dashboard shows at least 307 cyclosporiasis cases and 13 hospitalizations as of July 14, 2026
As cases continue to climb, more people with persistent diarrhea are heading to urgent care looking for answers. The Cyclospora parasite can only be confirmed through a stool sample
The increase in demand is putting pressure on stool testing supplies at some clinics and highlighting an important reality for patients: not all cyclospora tests work the same way, and not everyone gets results on the same timeline
Dr. Kimberly Caulway, the regional medical director for Duke Urgent Care, told WRAL the system went from rarely testing for the parasite to now seeing roughly 20 patients in a day that request a stool test.
“It’s been difficult keeping pace with the demand for our stool testing supplies,” Caulway said. “What we are seeing is a lot of demand, and then we will send patients out with our supply kits, and then we do not get the testing returned.”
Caulway explained an unreturned test kit can then cause a delay in the ability to test the next patient in a timely manner. Test result turnaround time can also be impacted by which type of test is completed.
WakeMed and UNC Health tell WRAL most urgent care patients are tested with PCR tests. Caulway explained those tests may be part of a larger gastrointestinal panel, and may also carry greater costs for patients due to insurance
“The PCR test may be part of a more extended GI panel, and that’s another situation trying to have insurance companies reimburse for those much more expensive panels,” she said.
Caulway said Duke Health’s urgent care system currently relies on microscopic stool testing, which requires additional laboratory analysis. Results can take up to a week, or longer depending on demand and available re
“This is something that we see, and we saw in the past when COVID would surge,” Caulway explained. “We would see our turnaround time for testing start to exceed the normal expected time frame. Currently, our expected time frame for our testing in our organization is three to six days. But, the more that we are exceeding our demand on the system, it may climb a bit.”
Most patients with positive test results are prescribed Bactrim, however the antibiotic may not work for everyone.
“We definitely try to walk the line of doing no harm, and does the benefit of Bactrim exceed the risks of the illness,” Caulway said when it comes to prescribing the antibiotic. “There are allergic reactions you can have, you can have swelling of the face or hives.”
The physician advised that those most at risk of serious complications are young patients, older adults, and those with other medical conditions.
She recommends seeking medical attention if you experience diarrhea for a week or longer. If it has been less than a week, but you are also experiencing dehydration, lightheadedness, and poor appetite or difficulty retaining fluids, it’s recommended you also speak with your provider
Cyclospora is transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by human feces, which often occurs well before the produce reaches the consumer. Past outbreaks in the U.S. have been tied to various produce including leafy greens, herbs, and berries
Michigan health officials recently announced investigators are honing in on lettuce as a potentialn recent months
To reduce your risk of infection, health officials recommend washing your hands thoroughly before handling food and cleaning utensils and cutting boards during food preparation.
Most commercial produce washes do not eliminate Cyclospora. Cooking produce can kill the parasite, though many foods linked to Cyclospora outbreaks are typically eaten raw.
