Federal and state health officials are investigating a summer rise in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, after hundreds of cases were reported across parts of the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 145 domestically acquired cases across 17 states for people who became sick between May 1 and June 16. Twenty people were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Separate state-level reporting from Michigan has pushed the broader public-health picture higher, with officials there investigating a large outbreak that has grown rapidly in recent days.
Cyclospora is usually spread when people consume food or water contaminated with feces. In the United States, outbreaks have often been connected to fresh produce, particularly during warmer months when people are eating more raw fruits, herbs and vegetables. Past outbreaks have been linked to items such as cilantro, basil, lettuce, spinach and berries, although officials have not identified a confirmed source in the current investigations.
The illness, known as cyclosporiasis, can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating, low-grade fever and vomiting. Health officials say symptoms can begin two days to two weeks after exposure. Some people may have mild symptoms or none at all, while others can experience symptoms that last for weeks if untreated.
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The CDC has said there is currently no evidence tying all reported cases to a single multistate outbreak. Instead, investigators are looking at several possible clusters and potential sources of illness in different states. The CDC is working with the Food and Drug Administration and state and local health departments to trace possible links between cases, including whether contaminated food products may be involved.
States reporting cases in the CDC’s national surveillance count include New York, Texas, Illinois, Michigan and several others. Michigan has drawn particular attention because state health officials described the outbreak there as large and growing. The state typically identifies only about 50 cyclosporiasis cases in a year, but officials reported far more than that in a short period, with several counties in southeast Michigan affected.
For families and consumers, the investigation is a reminder that foodborne illness is not limited to meat, eggs or dairy. Fresh produce can also carry risk if contamination occurs during growing, harvesting, packing, shipping or food preparation. Because many fruits, herbs and vegetables are eaten raw, there may be no cooking step to reduce the risk before consumption.
Public health officials are urging people to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking it. Firm fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers and melons, should be scrubbed with a clean brush. People should also wash their hands before preparing food, clean kitchen surfaces, cut away bruised or damaged parts of produce, and refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
Cyclosporiasis is not typically spread directly from person to person, according to health officials. People who develop persistent diarrhea, especially after eating fresh produce or after others in the household become sick, are advised to contact a healthcare provider. Testing can confirm the infection, and treatment may include antibiotics in more serious cases.
The outbreak comes during the usual peak season for cyclosporiasis in the United States, which generally runs from May through August. That seasonal pattern makes the current rise concerning but not entirely unexpected. Still, the number of cases and the lack of a confirmed source mean investigators are watching closely for additional reports.
Why It Matters
This investigation matters because it affects everyday food choices, grocery shopping and kitchen safety. For most healthy people, cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but it can be highly disruptive and can lead to dehydration or hospitalization in more serious cases. The outbreak also highlights the challenge regulators face in tracing contaminated produce, especially when illnesses are spread across multiple states and may involve different food sources.
What Comes Next
Health officials are expected to continue interviewing patients, reviewing food histories and tracing possible produce supply chains. If investigators identify a specific contaminated product, company or distributor, public health agencies may issue more targeted warnings or recalls. Until then, consumers are being urged to follow basic food-safety steps, monitor symptoms and seek medical care if diarrhea is sudden, severe or persistent.
Health officials say past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to several types of fresh produce.
Foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro, according to the CDC. https://t.co/LUhLjdaStx
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) July 4, 2026
