{"id":6774,"date":"2026-09-16T02:51:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T02:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=6774"},"modified":"2026-09-16T02:51:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T02:51:40","slug":"cyclospora-cases-are-starting-to-trend-down-see-states-still-impacted-foods-to-avoid-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=6774","title":{"rendered":"Cyclospora Cases Are Starting to Trend Down: See States Still Impacted, Foods to Avoid and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

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New infections with cyclospora, the \u201cexplosive\u201d diarrhea-causing parasite that\u2019s sickened thousands of Americans this summer, appear to be on a downward trend, according to new data<\/p>\n

The parasitic illness<\/a>, also known as cyclosporiasis, normally ramps up during the warmer months in the United States. But this year, cases have surged to record-high levels<\/p>\n

More than 17,100 confirmed cases have been reported by 48 states since May 1, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published on Aug. 25. Some 11,800 probable cases are still under investigation<\/p>\n

During the same time period last summer, only 1,180 cases were reported to the CDC. In recent decades, the U.S. has seen an average of 2,000\u20133,000 cyclosporiasis per year<\/p>\n

The stomach-churning infection causes episodes of severe, watery diarrhea, and it usually isn\u2019t life-threatening. However, more than 900 people have been hospitalized and two people have died from the infection in the U.S. since May<\/p>\n

Fueling the recent surge of cyclosporiasis cases is a massive, multistate outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms, which issued a nation<\/a>wide recall of all its affected products in July<\/p>\n

Although the case count continues to rise in Michigan and other states, there are promising signs that new diagnoses are slowing, Dr. Kavita Patel, health<\/a> policy expert and NBC News medical contributor, said on TODAY in a segment aired Aug. 19<\/p>\n

\u201cThe curve are showing us that the cases and the diagnoses are slowing down,\u201d she added<\/p>\n

However, the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration are still investigating at least six other cyclosporiasis outbreaks and potential<\/p>\n

In the meantime, many Americans are left wondering what\u2019s safe to eat. As cyclospora is often linked to raw produce, is it still necessary to avoid certain fruits and vegetables?<\/p>\n

Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite which infects the small intestine<\/p>\n

People become infected with cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with particles of feces from an infected person, Kali Kniel, Ph.D., professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware, tells TODAY.com<\/p>\n

Person-to-person spread is extremely unlikely. That\u2019s because after the parasite is shed in feces, it takes one to two weeks living outside the body to mature and become infectious, says Kniel<\/p>\n

Cyclospora can get into produce if it\u2019s grown in soil or washed with water contaminated with feces; fresh fruits and vegetables are common culprits, she adds<\/p>\n

It can take anywhere from two days to two weeks after being exposed to cyclospora to show signs of illness<\/p>\n

The hallmark symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery and sometimes \u201cexplosive\u201d diarrhea, per the CDC. If left untreated, the diarrhea can last for several weeks, says Kniel<\/p>\n

Other common signs include abdominal cramping, bloating, appetite loss, increased flatulence and fatigue, per the CDC<\/p>\n

Most healthy people will recover from cyclosporiasis on their own without medical care, Kniel notes. However, the diarrhea can persist and occur in cycles, known as relapses, for up to a month or longer if left untreated<\/p>\n

Cyclosporiasis can be treated effectively with a combination antibiotic. \u201cWe are seeing hospitalizations, so if you do get sick, good hydration is critical, and so is getting clinical care because this can be treated,\u201d Kniel explains<\/p>\n

Cyclosporiasis cases and diagnoses may be slowing down, says Patel, but outbreaks of the parasitic infection are not over<\/p>\n

Currently, four of the seven cylcospora outbreaks under investigation by the FDA are considered ongoing, according to the agency\u2019s foodborne illness tracker. In six of these outbreaks, including the three listed as \u201cended,\u201d the<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are still a number of outbreaks that do not have an identified thick of it,\u201d said Patel<\/p>\n

In the U.S., cyclosporiasis season usually lasts from May through Aug. 31, per the CDC. However, cases could continue to rise later than usual this year<\/p>\n

So far, only one outbreak \u2014 the nation\u2019s largest \u2014\u00a0has been linked to a particular food, iceberg lettuce. The lettuce was supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at restaurants and retailers, but has since been recalled and is no longer available<\/p>\n

More than 10,900 cases associated with this outbreak have been reported across 17 states, per the FDA: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia<\/p>\n

In Michigan, the hardest-hit state, cyclosporiasis case reports and diarrhea-related emergency department visits are slowing down, NBC News reported previously<\/p>\n

The FDA has not specified where the other outbreaks under investigation are located, and it\u2019s unclear if these are connected<\/p>\n

\u201cThere may be multiple unrelated outbreaks going on at the same time,\u201d Donald Schaffner, Ph.D., professor of food microbiology in the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University, tells TODAY.com. There\u2019s likely more than one food or water<\/p>\n

Cyclospora is a particularly challenging parasite to track. Due to its long incubation period and lags in testing, it can take weeks for cases to be confirmed and investigated<\/p>\n

As a result, only a small portion of cyclosporiasis cases reported every year get traced back to a particular food<\/p>\n

Nearly 29,000 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in 48 states (including the District of Columbia) since May 1, per the latest CDC data<\/p>\n

Only two states have reported zero cases since May 1: Hawaii and Delaware<\/p>\n

The true number of cyclospora infections in the U.S. is likely higher than the numbers currently being reported \u2014 that\u2019s because many people recover on their own and never get tested for cyclospora, per the CDC<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s which states are reporting the most infections:<\/p>\n

Michigan is being hit the hardest. As of Aug. 20, the state has reported over 14,277 cyclosporiasis cases, 335 hospitalizations and two deaths, per the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services<\/p>\n

Neighboring Ohio has reported over 5,800 cases this summer, per information from the state\u2019s health department obtained by NBC News<\/p>\n

Indiana has recorded over 2,090 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, according to the Indiana Department of Health<\/p>\n

Missouri\u2019s cyclosporiasis case count has surpassed 2,000, per thestate\u2019s health department<\/p>\n

Illinois reported nearly 1,000 cyclosporiasis cases this summer, per the latest data from the Illinois Department of Public Health<\/p>\n

So far, one recall has been issued due to cyclospora concerns<\/p>\n

On Aug. 17, Taylor Fresh Foods announced it was voluntarily removing all its iceberg lettuce<\/p>\n

However, the recalled products have expiration dates up to Aug. 3, which means they\u2019re long-expired, says Schaffner<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best-by dates for these recalled products have passed and they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants,\u201d the FDA said<\/p>\n

The affected products (see a full list<\/a>) were distributed through July 16 to food service locations and retailers in 31 states, per the FDA<\/a>. These include Taco Bell and Walmart, which sold two recalled items under the brand Marketside:<\/p>\n