🔥 Trending Cyclospora Outbreaks: What You Need to Know About the 'Explosive Diarrhea Parasi

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite, specifically a coccidian protozoan, that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis ¹³⁷. The only species of Cyclospora known to infect humans is Cyclospora cayetanensis ⁴⁵.

How Cyclospora Infection Occurs

People become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with feces containing the parasite ³⁸. This makes cyclosporiasis a foodborne and waterborne illness ⁷. While cyclosporiasis is relatively rare in the United States, most people get sick by traveling to tropical countries where the parasite is more common ⁸.

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis

The primary symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery diarrhea ⁵⁸. Other common symptoms include ⁶¹⁰:

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Symptoms typically begin about a week after infection ¹⁰.

Latest Outbreaks in the US (as of July 2, 2026)

As of June 16, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 145 cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States ². These cases occurred in individuals who became ill between May 1, 2026, and June 16, 2026 ². The outbreak has affected people in 20 states, with 20 individuals requiring hospitalization. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported ⁹.

The exact source of this particular outbreak is currently unknown, and experts are working to determine what caused the surge in cases ⁹. Cyclosporiasis is considered a nationally notifiable disease, meaning health authorities track reported cases to monitor outbreaks ².