Domestically Acquired Cyclosporiasis Cases in Multiple U.S. States, 2026
Reviewed and published by MPB Safety Desk
What parents need to know
This CDC health advisory concerns a sharp rise in cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water, and previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce. The illness does not usually spread from person to person. CDC considers May 1 to August 31 the annual cyclosporiasis season.
Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases across 34 states, substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by the same time last year. Of the case-patients with available information, 141 (about 9%) were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Reported patients range in age from 2 to 95 years.
For parents, the key signs to watch for are watery diarrhea (which can be frequent), loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue, typically beginning about one week after exposure. Without treatment, symptoms can follow a relapsing course lasting from a few days to a month or longer. If your child has prolonged or relapsing watery diarrhea, contact your pediatrician, and note that routine stool tests may not reliably detect this parasite, so testing specifically for Cyclospora may need to be requested. Effective treatment is available; see the official CDC notice for details and current guidance.
Recall details
From the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention record
- Recall number
- #HAN00531
- Recall date
- From the official alert
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is notifying clinicians, public health practitioners, and laboratorians of cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis in multiple U.S. states. Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis. This is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year. Of the 1,645 case-patients with available information, 141 (9%) were hospitalized, and none have died. CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local health departments are working together to investigate multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora infections and to identify the sources of illness. Because cyclosporiasis is often underdiagnosed and underreported, the true number of illnesses is likely higher than what has been reported to CDC. This Health Advisory provides background information about cyclosporiasis, current U.S. surveillance data, and recommendations for clinicians, laboratorians, and public health departments to support recognition, diagnosis, and reporting.
Recommendations for the Public:
Visit a clinician if you have prolonged or watery diarrhea, especially if it lasts more than a few days.
Reduce your risk by thoroughly washing fresh produce under clean running water before eating and by following safe food handling practices. Be aware that chemically disinfecting or sanitizing produce might not fully eliminate Cyclospora. It is important to thoroughly wash produce even if it is labeled as pre-washed.
Recall details are summarized from official government sources and reviewed by our editors before publishing. Information can change after publication. Always confirm the current status, affected models, and remedy instructions in the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notice before acting.
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