National Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

As of today, July 28th, the CDC has recorded over 11,500 cases of Cyclosporiasis (the most number of cases ever documented within one year in the US), 308 of which have resulted in hospitalizations. Within these 11,500 cases, there are many smaller outbreaks, the largest of which has infected close to 2,000 people across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. But what actually is Cyclosporiasis? Well, it is a disease that originates from cyclospora, a tiny parasite that travels through human excrement to come into contact with food or water. Typically, this disease results in the following symptoms: watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, cramping, nausea, fatigue, and more. Although there have been Cyclosporiasis outbreaks before, the amount of cases seen throughout this outbreak has never been seen before in America. A Cornell professor suspected that “tainted agricultural water is behind the unparalleled surge in infections”. Upon further investigation, close to 2,000 cases have been connected to iceberg lettuce harvested from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, a typical supplier for Taco Bell. In order to mitigate the spread of Cyclosporiasis, here are some good prevention tips: wash all produce fully before cutting, cooking, or eating, whether or not it has been labeled as pre-washed or not; use a clean produce brush to scrub harder fruits and vegetables; remove any damaged or bruised spots on produce prior to consumption; cook your produce to a minimum temperature of 158℉– this will ensure that the parasite has been extracted. Furthermore, although the best treatment you can take if diagnosed with Cyclosporiasis is an oral antibiotic called Bactrim, it is crucial to continue to drink water as well. 

Works Cited

Callahan, Alice, and Caroline Hopkins Legaspi. "Cyclospora Cases Are Rising. Here's What to Know." The New York Times, 28 July 2026, www.nytimes.com/2026/07/15/well/eat/cyclospora-stomach-bug-what-to-know.html. Accessed 28 July 2026.

"Preventing Cyclosporiasis." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 July 2026, www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/prevention/index.html. Accessed 28 July 2026.

"Retailers shun central Mexico produce as US cyclospora outbreak spreads, former FDA chief says." CNN, 28 July 2026, www.cnn.com/2026/07/28/health/cyclospora-central-mexico-produce. Accessed 28 July 2026.