Full Breakdown
Cyclospora Outbreak Sweeps Across the United States
7/1/2026, 4:52:50 AM
Core Outbreak Details
From May 1 to June 16, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 145 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by the parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis*. Patients ranged in age from five to 86 years; 20 required hospitalization and no deaths have been reported. Cyclosporiasis is a nationally notifiable disease, requiring health-care providers to report cases to federal authorities.
Geographic Distribution and Case Counts
The outbreak spans 20 states, including New York, Texas, Illinois, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. New York accounts for the largest share, with 31–80 cases. Illinois and Texas each report 11–30 cases; the remaining states have between one and ten cases. The CDC defines May 1 through August 31 as the cyclosporiasis season, when case numbers typically rise.
Public Health Response
Local, state and federal (CDC, FDA) public-health authorities are investigating multiple clusters across the affected states. The CDC stresses that *Cyclospora* does not spread person-to-person, indicating a food-borne source. No specific food has been confirmed; officials advise strict food-handling, storage and caution against fresh berries, unpeeled fruit and salads until the source is identified.
Clinical Profile and Treatment
Symptoms typically appear about a week after ingestion and include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. While many infections resolve without medication, symptoms may persist for several days to over a month. The CDC recommends a course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim) for severe or prolonged cases.
Expert Concerns
Epidemiologists warn the 145 reported cases may underestimate the true burden, citing likely undiagnosed infections. Experts are scrambling to find the source, noting that no specific food item has been confirmed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of states involved—some list 17, others 20—and on New York’s case count, reported as 31–80. No definitive source of contamination has been identified, and the CDC has not disclosed whether imported produce or domestic growers are under investigation.
Why It Matters
Previous U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to imported produce such as cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil. The current spread highlights vulnerabilities in the national food-supply chain and underscores the need for vigilant surveillance during the summer peak in fresh-produce consumption.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Cyclospora parasite causes cyclosporiasis, which is a “nationally notifiable disease,” meaning healthcare providers are mandated to report cases to the federal government.” — CDC
- “Cases rise in the summer, and the CDC considers May 1 through August 31 to be cyclosporiasis season.” — CDC
- “While a cyclosporiasis infection may go away on its own without antibiotics, symptoms can last anywhere from several days to a month or more, the CDC said.” — CDC
- “Treatment is a course of antibiotics, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known under the brand names Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim.” — CDC
