U.S. CDC Reports Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Across 17 States in America with More Than 145 Confirmed Infections
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 01, 2026 50 minutes ago
Medical News: Multistate Parasite Outbreak Triggers Intensive Public Health Investigation
A growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis has spread across 17 U.S. states, prompting an extensive investigation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At least 145 laboratory-confirmed infections caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis have been recorded between May 1 and June 16, while 20 patients have required hospitalization. Although no deaths have been reported, health officials warn that the true number of infections could be considerably higher as many cases remain undiagnosed or unreported. This
Medical News report highlights the latest findings from the ongoing investigation.
CDC investigators race to identify the contaminated food source behind a growing multistate Cyclospora outbreak
affecting at least 145 Americans
Food Source Suspected but Exact Origin Remains Unknown
Health authorities believe contaminated food is the most likely source of the outbreak, although investigators have yet to identify the specific product responsible. Unlike many previous Cyclospora infections, none of the affected individuals reported recent international travel, suggesting exposure occurred within the United States. The CDC stated that local, state, and federal agencies are actively investigating multiple clusters across several states to identify the contaminated food item and prevent additional infections.
New York has reported the highest number of confirmed cases, with between 31 and 80 infections. Texas and Illinois have each documented between 11 and 30 cases. Additional infections have been confirmed in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Understanding Cyclosporiasis and Its Symptoms
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which infects the small intestine after contaminated food or water is consumed. The parasite is typically transmitted through food or water contaminated with human feces and does not spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms generally develop about one week after exposure. The hallmark symptom is prolonged watery diarrhea, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramping, bloating, excessive gas, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, headache, body aches, and occasionally a low-grade fever. While some infected individuals remain symptom-free, untreated illness can persist for several weeks or even longer than a month.
The recommended treatment is the antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly marketed as Bactrim or Septrin, which significantly shortens illness duration and reduces complications.
Previous Outbreaks Point Toward Imported Fresh Produce
Cyclospora outbreaks have repeatedly been associated with imported fresh
produce. A major 2018 outbreak was linked to McDonald's salads, while another large outbreak in 2019 was traced to imported coriander, basil, mesclun lettuce, sweet peas, and raspberries from Mexico. Similar travel-associated outbreaks have also been documented in the United Kingdom, where authorities advised travelers to avoid consuming uncooked berries, salads, and unpeeled fruits while visiting Mexico.
The CDC notes that cyclosporiasis cases typically increase during the warmer months, with May through August representing the peak transmission season in the United States. Separate from the domestic outbreak, officials have also recorded 45 travel-associated cases during the same period, including three hospitalizations.
Public Health Officials Continue Search for the Source
Federal investigators continue tracing food distribution networks and interviewing patients to identify common exposures before additional illnesses emerge. Until the contamination source is confirmed, consumers are encouraged to practice careful food hygiene while recognizing that washing produce alone may not completely remove Cyclospora parasites. Rapid reporting of suspected infections will also remain essential for helping authorities contain the outbreak, identify contaminated food products, and reduce the risk of further nationwide spread.
Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html
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Medical News.
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