HEALTH
Wisconsin’s domestic cyclosporiasis cases nearly double in a week
Lance SchulteisMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 2:00 p.m. CT
Wisconsin’s summer count of domestic cyclosporiasis cases has nearly doubled in the past week, according to new state data
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said Wednesday, Aug. 5 that there have been 216 cases of cyclosporiasis in the state, including 94 among people who did not report traveling internationally
A week earlier, the agency reported 50 cases of domestic cyclosporiasis in the state. During a typical cyclosporiasis season, which runs from May 1 to Aug. 31, Wisconsin sees between 20 and 30 domestically acquired cases
In the past week, two additional hospitalizations were reported in Wisconsin
The intestinal illness is caused by a parasite, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has been linked to “watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”
The update from Wisconsin health officials comes just days after Michigan reported two confirmed cyclosporiasis deaths, the first in the United States this year, USA TODAY reported. The illness is not typically life-threatening, but Michigan health officials have said both individuals had “significant underlying health conditions.”
A timeline of Wisconsin’s cyclosporiasis updates
- Aug. 5: 216 cases, 5 hospitalizations
- July 29: 160 cases, 3 hospitalizations
- July 22: 105 cases, 3 hospitalizations
- July 15: 61 cases, 1 hospitalization
- July 13: 43 cases, 0 hospitalizations
- July 7: 35 cases, 0 hospitalizations
Are cyclosporiasis cases rising nationwide?
In an Aug. 4 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 10,468 cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States since May 1, with 517 hospitalizations. A week prior, the CDC confirmed 6,707 cases, which was an increase in over 2,500 cases from the week before
According to CDC data, the next three most-affected states are Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio, which all have between 500 and 999 domestic cyclosporiasis cases. There are 47 states reporting cases, a two-state increase since last week
Nationwide, cases have ranged in age from 1 to 98 years old
The CDC, Food and Drug Administration and local public health officials are investigating a 15-state cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. Produce giant Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce
The CDC is investigating other outbreaks from unrelated,000 additional cases that are not yet laboratory confirmed
What is cyclosporiasis?
The intestinal disease is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. The number of reported cases tends to rise in the spring and summer, but typically the disease is not life threatening.
People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Those living or traveling in tropical or subtropical places may be at increased risk, though the CDC said in its report that current cases involve people who became sick after eating food in the United States and didn’t report any travel during the two weeks prior to getting sick.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Not all people infected with cyclosporiasis show symptoms, but in addition to diarrhea, it commonly causes:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.
The timing between infection and becoming sick is typically about a week, but can be as short as two days or longer than two weeks. If left untreated, the illness can last over a month, and symptoms can clear before returning one or more times
How can I prevent cyclosporiasis?
- The best way to prevent the illness is by avoiding contaminated food or water and following safe food-handling practices:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw fruits and vegetables
- Wash fruits and vegetables under water before eating, cutting or cooking
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a produce brush
- Cut away damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables
- Put cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator as soon as possible
Lance Schulteis can be reached at LSchulteis@usatodayco.com
