The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said that it has confirmed well over 800 infections by the food-borne parasite cyclospora in 31 states and is aware of at least 1,500 more potential cases. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
July 10 (UPI) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that well over 800 cases of a food-borne parasite have been confirmed by 31 states.
CDC officials were working with state and local health agencies to investigate clusters of cyclosporiasis cases in multiple states, some of which the Food and Drug Administration is working to trace and others that have not yet been linked to a common source, the agency said in an update.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can cause watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, and in some cases require hospitalization, according to the CDC.
The parasite can be acquired when people eat or drink contaminated food or water and, although it can be spread year-round, it is considered to be a larger problem during the spring and summer months.
The current series of outbreaks has been tracked since at least mid-June, although the FDA lists its first investigation of cyclospora as staring June 3. With no product linked to the parasite or any other outbreak, the FDA is attempting to trace back to a source.
“Multiple jurisdictions have reported an increase of cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025,” the CDC said in the update.
“We assume a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC,” the agency said. “Therefore, we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received.”
The CDC reported that as of July 9, it has confirmed 843 cases of the nationally notifiable disease in 31 states, with 86 hospitalizations, but officials said the agency is aware of at least 1,500 more cases that have not yet been confirmed as domestically acquired in the United States.
Among the states reporting cases and investigations, Michigan on July 4 reported that its confirmed cases increased to 572, a large increase from 170 on June 30.
Cyclospora infects the small intestine after contaminated food or drink is consumed, and symptoms of infection can be seen anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.
Overall, the infection is generally not life-threatening, but because of dehydration linked to frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea — especially in younger or older people, and those with weakened immune systems — it may require hospitalization.
Outbreaks in the United States have previously been linked to bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions, health officials said.