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How To Stay Healthy Amid The Growing Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

A doctor explains how you can stay healthy and how to avoid getting cyclosporiasis amidst the increasing outbreak in America.

Omer Awan, Senior Contributor Forbes 14 Jul 2026, 15:41 2 min read 6/10

How To Stay Healthy Amid The Growing Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Key Takeaways

The CDC has reported hundreds of cyclosporiasis cases across multiple states since June 2026, with a typical incubation period of 7 days.
Fresh produce such as cilantro, basil, and raspberries are the most common vehicles; tracebacks often point to Central and South American imports.
Cyclosporiasis causes profuse watery diarrhea, fatigue, and anorexia; symptoms can recur for weeks without antibiotic treatment.
Annual case counts in the US have risen from around 100 in the early 2010s to over 2,000 in peak years, reflecting expanding surveillance and imported food volumes.
Prevention focuses on washing produce vigorously under running water, cooking vegetables, and avoiding raw items from outbreak-linked regions.

A parasitic outbreak is creeping across America, and the culprit might be hiding in your salad. Cyclosporiasis cases are climbing, with health officials scrambling to trace contaminated produce and doctors fielding a surge of worried patients. The United States is facing a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which typically spikes in summer and is linked to imported fresh produce like cilantro, raspberries, and basil. Public health agencies, including the CDC and FDA, are investigating multi-state clusters, though specific sources remain unconfirmed. This resurgence follows a pattern of seasonal outbreaks that have escalated since the 2010s, partly due to increased reliance on imported fruits and vegetables. Cyclosporiasis triggers watery diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and fatigue, often appearing a week after ingestion and lingering for weeks if untreated. The illness is not contagious person-to-person but spreads through fecal-contaminated food or water. The current outbreak underscores a broader food-safety challenge: pathogens hitchhiking on global supply chains, where prevention hinges on washing produce thoroughly, cooking foods to safe temperatures, and avoiding raw items known to carry risk. Health experts stress that while cyclosporiasis is rarely life-threatening, it can cause severe dehydration and prolonged misery, especially in vulnerable populations. To dodge cyclosporiasis outbreak, consumers should scrub all produce under running water, even items with inedible skins like melons, and consider cooking vegetables that are often eaten raw. The CDC recommends sticking to thoroughly washed greens and avoiding raw cilantro from outbreak regions. As the investigation continues, officials urge anyone with persistent diarrheal illness to seek medical testing and treatment, typically a course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The coming weeks may bring recall notices or warnings about specific suppliers; until then, vigilance in the kitchen is the best defense. Cyclosporiasis outbreak prevention starts at the grocery cart, and staying informed through CDC updates is key.

How to Prevent Cyclosporiasis During an Outbreak

Steps to reduce your risk of getting cyclosporiasis from contaminated produce.

1

Thoroughly wash all fresh produce

Rub fruits and vegetables under cool running water for at least 30 seconds. Use a vegetable brush for firm items like melons. Even items with inedible peels (bananas, avocados) need washing to avoid transferring parasites when cutting.
2

Cook vegetables that are often eaten raw

Steam or boil leafy greens like spinach and herbs like cilantro if sourced from outbreak regions. Cooking at temperatures above 145°F (63°C) kills Cyclospora parasites.
3

Avoid high-risk produce during outbreaks

Temporarily stop eating raw cilantro, raspberries, and basil if the CDC names them in outbreak alerts. Check for recall notices on imported herbs.
4

Clean cutting boards and utensils

Use separate cutting boards for produce and raw meat, or thoroughly wash boards with hot soapy water between uses. Sanitize with a diluted bleach solution (1 tsp bleach per quart water).
5

Wash hands before and after handling food

Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after handling raw produce or before eating. Hand sanitizer is not effective against Cyclospora.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It typically causes watery diarrhea, cramping, and nausea, and is spread through contaminated food or water.

Cyclosporiasis spreads when people ingest food or water contaminated with feces containing the parasite. Common sources include fresh imported produce such as cilantro, basil, and raspberries that were not properly washed.

Symptoms include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and occasional fever. They usually appear about one week after exposure and can last for several weeks without treatment.

Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under running water, even items with skins you don't eat. Cook vegetables when possible, avoid raw cilantro from outbreak regions, and thoroughly clean cutting boards and utensils after handling raw foods.

Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics, typically a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim). People who are allergic to sulfa drugs should consult their doctor for alternative options.

You should see a doctor if you have persistent watery diarrhea lasting more than three days, signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine), or if you have a weakened immune system. Testing is available to confirm the infection.

Topics

cyclosporiasis outbreak food safety parasitic infection CDC produce contamination prevention public health

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