Every year, public health officials monitor foodborne illnesses, but over the last 12 months, one particular foodborne parasite has been garnering national attention. Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, has sickened hundreds of people across the United States, prompting investigations by federal and state health agencies. While outbreaks linked to Cyclospora are not uncommon during the warmer months, the number of reported cases has climbed significantly in recent weeks.

Health experts have stated that the Cyclospora outbreak doesn’t mean that people should abandon eating fruits and vegetables. Instead, the ongoing crisis can serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of produce safety. Understanding how Cyclospora spreads and what consumers can do to reduce their risk can help you make informed decisions without unnecessary panic.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a tiny, single-celled organism that infects the small intestine. People become infected when they consume food or water that has the parasite in it. Typically, Cyclospora cayetanensis lives in fresh produce. Since people generally purchase more produce during the summer months, infections often increase between late spring and early fall.

Fresh herbs, leafy greens, berries, and other produce that is often eaten raw have been linked to previous outbreaks. Investigators have not yet identified a single source responsible for the current surge in cases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to work with state health departments and the Food and Drug Administration to trace the origin of contaminated foods.

As of July 9, 2026, which was the last official update, the CDC has reported 843 cases across 31 states, with additional travel-related infections also having been reported. Since symptoms often develop several days after consuming infected produce, health officials believe that the actual number of cases may be higher than the confirmed current count.

Symptoms May Last Longer Than Many People Expect

Diagnosis requires specialized testing, which often leads to patients not receiving the right type of treatment for several days after symptoms initially appear. The illness most commonly presents with diarrhea, but symptoms may vary from one person to the next. Many individuals also experience stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating, and unintended weight loss.

Symptoms typically begin a week after exposure, which makes the illness even harder to detect. Many people don’t remember specific foods that they ate a week later, and may be even less likely to remember where they purchased the food from.

One characteristic that distinguishes Cyclospora from many other foodborne illnesses is how long symptoms can persist. Without treatment, illness may continue for several weeks or even longer, with symptoms improving before returning again. While healthy individuals often recover fully, dehydration and prolonged illness can pose greater risks for young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.

Safe Food Handling Can Reduce Your Risk

Since Cyclospora is often associated with fresh produce, food safety remains one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of infection. Experts agree that fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly rinsed under running water, even if you plan on peeling them. If you’re eating firm produce, like cucumbers or melons, consider using a produce brush to make the surface even cleaner. Washing your hands before preparing food and keeping cutting boards, knives, and countertops clean also helps reduce the spread of foodborne pathogens.

While thorough cleaning can help, it does not completely eliminate the risk of Cyclospora. If contamination occurs during growing or processing, some parasites may remain despite careful rinsing. Cooking foods when appropriate provides an additional level of protection because heat can destroy the parasite.

When to Seek Medical Care

Many foodborne illnesses resolve themselves without medical intervention, and depending on your overall health, that may be the case with Cyclospora. Still, chronic diarrhea should never be ignored. Anyone experiencing prolonged diarrhea, significant dehydration, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms lasting more than a few days should contact a healthcare provider. Diagnosis typically requires laboratory testing because Cyclospora is not detected through most standard testing methods.

For most patients, Cyclospora can be treated with an antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known as Bactrim. Early diagnosis has been shown to minimize symptoms and reduce the likelihood of them reoccurring.

Experts Say Awareness Matters More Than Avoidance

The fact that outbreaks lead to widespread concern is normal. Still, experts agree that awareness is even more important than avoidance, especially when discussing an illness that often comes from eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Health officials are still investigating the current outbreak and have urged the public to continue taking food safety seriously.

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