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Several state health departments are actively investigating a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis. In late June, Michigan reported 177 cases of cyclosporiasis, then by July 4, the case count more than tripled to 572 cases, then grew again on July 9 to 1,251, according to local news reports. The figure represents more than 10 times the usual case counts for the state at this time of year. Ohio, Illinois, and New York are beginning to see a rise in cases as well, although not as severe as the trend in Michigan. Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, and fresh fruit and vegetables are almost always the source. Cyclosporiasis does not spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and federal agencies are investigating to find the source of the outbreak. As per the most recent federal data, CDC reported only 145 cases of cyclosporiasis and 20 hospitalizations across 17 states through June 16, 2026.
Consider the differential: Case counts tend to rise from May 1 through August 31. The incubation period for cyclosporiasis averages 7 days, and common symptoms include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping/bloating, increased flatus, nausea, and prolonged fatigue. Healthcare providers should consider cyclosporiasis as a potential cause of prolonged diarrheal illness, particularly in patients with a history of recent travel to tropical and subtropical countries, according to a clinical overview from CDC. The agency notes that not all gastrointestinal polymerase chain reaction panels include Cyclospora, so clinicians should request specific testing for the parasite. Additionally, patients might need to submit several specimens collected on different days to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the treatment of choice for cyclosporiasis, but most healthy people will recover within a month without treatment.
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