Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Cyclospora,Cyclospora,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 12, 2026
What is Cyclospora?
A Cyclospora outbreak is responsible for thousands of illnesses across the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics appear to be more conservative than State agencies, leading to confusion. Paired with no known food source for this outbreak, the public is rightfully concerned.
Some fast-food places are even taking a proactive approach, by temporarily removing certain food items or ingredients from their menu.
So, what is Cyclospora and what can you do to reduce your risk of getting sick?
As of July 9, 2026, the CDC 843 confirmed Cyclospora illnesses across 31 states have been reported to the agency. Of which, 86 required hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported in this outbreak so far. Another 1500 or so cases are awaiting confirmation.
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Masschusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin each has less than 30 confirmed reported cases.
Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas have been harder hit with 31 to 80 cases each. New York has somewhere between 81 and 160 cases, according to the current CDC surveillance data. The hardest hit so far though, has been Michigan.
If those numbers seem low, compared to what you have undoubtedly seen online, you aren’t mistaken. But there is a reason for that.
CDC data is often lower when announcing case counts than the states’ corresponding data. This is mostly due to the way the CDC counts cases.
CDC data only includes “confirmed cases.” But what does that mean?
A confirmed case must be certain criteria to definitively say that “this is for sure a Cyclospora case.”
When you are initially tested for an illness like Cyclospora, you are screened for many different pathogens (germs) that cause similar symptoms. Your doctor might run tests for Cyclospora, norovirus, Salmonella, or any number of gastrointestinal illnesses.
These tests are designed for a quick turn around time. Most of the time it is an antibody or PCR assay. These tests are usually pretty accurate. However, the CDC still requires a culture test where a sample is grown out on a growth medium to truly confirm the type of infection.
Without this confirmation, the case is considered “probable.”
A probable case can mean one of two things. Most of the time, a probable case is one that has positive PCR (or other preliminary lab test) results but is awaiting culture confirmation.
However, a probable case can also be considered with no laboratory data at all. For example, if a family member or someone has consumed the same food as someone that has been “confirmed positive” with appropriate culture test results and is experiencing the same symptoms, a state epidemiologist might consider the family a presumptive case.
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause human illness.
Like most foodborne illnesses, you get sick when you eat or drink something contaminated with the germ. Unlike most foodborne illnesses, on the other hand, Cyclospora is not a bacteria or virus. Therefore, treatments are often different for this germ.
Being a parasite also means that the microorganism behaves differently than their bacterial or viral counterparts.
It requires a host to survive.
It also must meet certain environmental conditions during the course of its lifecycle to become infectious. Cyclospora must experience a host phase and an environmental phase to reproduce and spread.
Spoiler alert: infections between humans are not contagious!
Another interesting aspect of Cyclospora is that humans are the only known host for Cyclospora parasites. No other animal appears susceptible to this infection.
The host phase of the Cyclospora life cycle begins when the germ enters the human body. This happens when an unsuspecting person consumed contaminated food or water that is in the appropriate phase of its life cycle.
The phase of the life cycle is important, because without the protective spore coat that forms around the organism during the host phase, the acids in the body could potentially kill it.
Once consumed, these tiny parasites find their way into the small intestine.
Once it reaches its destination, conditions improve. Cyclospora begin to shed that shell and reproduce. Here, the organism, now in oocyst mode, invades the epithelial cells in the intestinal walls.
This is where they undergo a reproductive process that ends in the creation of un-sporulated oocysts. These un-sporulated oocysts release into the feces (poop) resulting in watery diarrhea. This watery diarrhea moves these oocysts to the next phase of their life cycle.
The Cyclospora environmental phase.
Once outside of the human body, Cyclospora parasite can enter the environmental phase. This phase requires very specific environmental conditions not available inside the host body. Which is why it isn’t contagious from human to human.
These un-sporulated oocysts require around seven to 15 days at a temperature of 73° F to 77° F for sporulation to occur. Once sporulated, the parasite becomes infectious again.
All it takes is for a small amount of these sporulated Cyclospora parasites to contaminate fresh produce or water and become ingested by a human host for the cycle to start again.
For large-scale outbreaks like this, contaminated irrigation water used on crops is the source.
So, how do you know if your gastrointestinal symptoms are a Cyclospora infection?
The only way to know for sure if your illness is caused by Cyclospora parasites is specialized laboratory testing. You will need to see your healthcare provider or report your illness to your local health department.
However, there are a few commonly associated symptoms to look for in a Cyclospora illness.
One of the most obvious symptoms of Cyclospora illness is watery diarrhea, with “frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements.” Which is why the news has dubbed this outbreak the explosive diarrhea parasite outbreak. Another common symptom is fatigue. Most people with Cyclospora infections report feeling very tired. Or more tired than usual.
Other symptoms may include:
It is possible for someone who is infected with Cyclospora to experience no symptoms at all. This is more common in areas where Cyclospora is endemic.
For those unfortunate to experience symptoms, they may appear to resolve. Only to return again and again. These relapses are quite common with Cyclospora infections. Likely due to the nature of this parasite’s life cycle.
Without proper treatment, these relapses can continue for a long time. So see you healthcare provider if you have watery diarrhea that does not improve. Especially during this Cyclospora outbreak.
If you become sick, reach out to your healthcare provider or notify your local health department of your symptoms. Without a known food source, reporting your illness and providing a food diary may help investigators find a source.
You should also stay hydrated. Cyclospora illnesses often result in dehydration. A dangerous side-effect. Reduce your risk of dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids and replenishing electrolytes. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks until symptoms subside.
It is also a good idea to get advice from a Cyclospora Lawyer. An experienced Cyclospora lawyer can answer your questions, point you to resources, investigate your situation, and represent you as needed.
If you have been significantly impacted by a Cyclospora infection, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Cyclospora Lawyer that can help!
You want experienced representation, skilled at handling cases just like yours. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully recovered millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases, and they can help you too.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for your free, no obligation consultation. Get answers today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)