Cyclosporiasis outbreak spreads to 31 states, source investigation ongoing
6 verified3 unconfirmed3 contested
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has been detected across 31 states, according to federal health authorities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 843 confirmed cases, with 86 hospitalizations and no deaths as of mid-July 2026. Hardest-hit areas include Michigan and Ohio, with Ohio reporting 177 cases. While Michigan health officials have identified lettuce or salad greens as a potential source of their outbreak, the CDC continues to investigate the overall cause, noting that previous U.S. outbreaks have been linked to produce such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce. The true number of infections is expected to be higher due to reporting lags and because many people recover without medical care. Officials recommend thoroughly washing fresh produce and cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the parasite.
What’s verified
The outbreak has been reported in 31 states, according to both the CDC and multiple state health departments.
The CDC reported 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with 86 hospitalizations and no deaths.
Ohio has reported 177 cyclosporiasis cases.
The parasite Cyclospora causes the illness, which can be contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
Previous U.S. outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce.
Thoroughly washing fresh produce and cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit can kill Cyclospora.
Where accounts differ
Michigan case numbers differ between sources: one source reports 2,640 cases, while another reports 1,562 cases as of Friday.
The status of the source investigation differs: one source reports that Michigan health officials identified lettuce or salad greens as a potential source, while the other states the source is still unclear and under investigation.
The incubation period differs: one source states a two-week incubation period, while the other states symptoms can appear between two days and two weeks or more after infection.
Not yet confirmed
One source reports that the Trump administration cut $11.4 billion in grants to state and local health departments in March 2025 and reduced the scope of the FoodNet program in July 2025, but these claims are not confirmed by the other source.
One source quotes Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, and public health experts on the impact of funding cuts, but the other source provides no such details.
It is unclear whether funding cuts have affected the current outbreak investigation, as only one source addresses the issue.
Key figures
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan chief medical executive (mentioned in one source)
Barbara Kowalcyk, associate professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute of Public Health (mentioned in one source)
Emily Hilliard, HHS senior press secretary (mentioned in one source)
Sources: The Guardian, NPR
