Cyclosporiasis outbreak in USA

  1. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora
  2. People can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. 
  3. This illness is not usually spread directly from person to person. 

Case counts typically rise during spring and summer months, and CDC considers May 1-August 31 the annual cyclosporiasis season. Previous outbreaks have been linked to consuming contaminated fresh produce.

Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis. This is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year. Of the 1,645 case-patients with available information, 141 (9%) were hospitalized, and none have died. 

Symptoms:

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin about 1 week after exposure. Onset of symptoms can occur 2-14 days after being exposed. The most common symptoms include watery diarrhea, which can be frequent, along with loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Less common symptoms include low-grade fever and vomiting. Without treatment, symptoms can follow a remitting-relapsing course that can last from a few days to a month or longer. Illness can be severe, but is not usually life-threatening. Complications can include malabsorption, cholecystitis, and reactive arthritis. Laboratory detection of Cyclospora in stool can be challenging even in symptomatic patients, and standard ova and parasite exams might not detect it reliably. Clinicians should specifically request diagnostic testing for Cyclospora when it is clinically suspected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - USA

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