Cyclospora Update: 17,180 U.S. Cases This Season

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. Unlike many stomach bugs that spread from person to person, Cyclospora is almost always spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite — it does not spread easily through casual contact between children at school or daycare. In the U.S., outbreaks are strongly tied to fresh produce, especially imported herbs, leafy greens, and certain vegetables.

In the United States, the cyclosporiasis season runs from May 1 through August 31. Recent illnesses may not appear in CDC totals immediately because identifying, investigating, and reporting a case can take about six weeks. The true number of illnesses is also likely higher because some people recover without being tested.

How Big Has This Become?

It is important to separate the national surveillance total from the specific iceberg lettuce outbreak. CDC's latest figures report:

• 17,180 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases reported nationally from May 1 through August 24, 2026, including several clusters and cases with other or unknown sources
• 10,930 cases in 17 states in the outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce
• 454 hospitalizations and 2 deaths associated with that specific lettuce outbreak as of August 20
• For comparison, CDC received reports of 1,180 domestic cases during the full May 1 through August 31 season in 2025

These figures are preliminary, and recent illnesses can take about six weeks to reach CDC's totals. CDC updates its national surveillance data weekly.

What Food Was Linked to the Outbreak?

CDC and FDA have linked the large multistate outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recalled products' best-by dates have passed, so they should no longer be available in stores or restaurants.

This finding does not mean that all lettuce or all fresh produce is contaminated. Cyclospora can be spread by several kinds of produce, so continue standard food-safety practices and check CDC and FDA recall notices for product-specific updates.

Why This Matters for Kids

Children are exposed to Cyclospora the same way adults are: by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Children with weakened immune systems can have a longer, more severe, or relapsing course of illness if infected, so persistent gastrointestinal symptoms deserve prompt attention.

Signs and Symptoms in Children

Symptoms typically begin about 7 to 10 days after exposure (though it can range from 2 days to 2 weeks or more), which often makes it hard for families to connect the illness back to a specific meal. Watch for:

• Watery diarrhea, which can be frequent and explosive
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Nausea (vomiting is less common)
• Fatigue and low energy
• Low-grade fever
• Weight loss, especially if illness is prolonged

Without treatment, symptoms can go on for weeks and may even seem to improve and then return in cycles. This is one of the more distinctive features of cyclosporiasis compared to typical viral stomach bugs, which usually resolve within a few days.

When to Call Us Right Away

Please contact our office if your child has diarrhea lasting more than a few days, or right away if they:

• Show signs of dehydration (no wet diapers in 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes)
• Have diarrhea that persists longer than 3–5 days
• Have blood in their stool
• Have a fever above 102°F
• Seem unusually lethargic or difficult to console
• Have persistent watery diarrhea after eating raw produce during the prior two weeks

Diagnosis Requires a Specific Test

Cyclospora is easy for standard stool cultures to miss. Many routine stool panels and standard diarrhea tests are not designed to detect this particular parasite, so if we suspect cyclosporiasis based on your child's symptoms and history, we will specifically request a modified acid-fast staining or PCR-based stool test. Be sure to tell us about any fresh produce your child ate in the two weeks before symptoms began so we can guide testing appropriately.

Treatment

Cyclosporiasis can be treated with an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. Most children recover fully with appropriate treatment. Supportive care — plenty of fluids and rest — is important throughout recovery, since diarrheal illness can lead to dehydration. If you think your child may be infected, please call our office so we can guide next steps.

How to Protect Your Family During the Outbreak

• Check current recall notices before acting on older warnings; the recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce's best-by dates have passed and it should no longer be available
• Wash hands and fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking
• Cook produce when appropriate to at least 158°F / 70°C, which can kill the parasite
• Know that washing cannot guarantee removal, even though it remains an important food-safety step
• Watch for prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms, especially watery diarrhea lasting several days, which is different from a typical 24–48 hour stomach virus
• Stay current on recalls — visit the CDC's outbreak investigation page and the FDA's outbreak page for current outbreak and recall information

A Note from Our Team

CDC continues to update national Cyclospora surveillance weekly. The specific multistate outbreak has been linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce, and the recalled products should no longer be available. We'll continue to monitor CDC and FDA updates. If you have questions or concerns about your child's symptoms, please call our office.