Published: 14:42 BST, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 16:56 BST, 7 August 2026<\/p>\n
Cases of the parasite that causes 'explosive' symptoms have surged in the US, with thousands of new additional cases pushing the outbreak to a new record high.<\/p>\n
Some 10,468 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 47 states have been reported to date, up 6,707 from last week, the CDC confirmed in an update Tuesday.<\/p>\n
However, officials believe the true toll could stretch past 22,000, as 12,255 additional reports are still awaiting laboratory confirmation and investigation.<\/p>\n
Two deaths from the parasite were recorded yesterday in Michigan, while 517 people nationwide have also been hospitalized.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many of the newly reported cases were in Michigan and Ohio, which are at the center of the outbreak.<\/p>\n
Local health departments in these states have reported more than 15,000 cases alone and over 300 hospitalizations. There is a lag between local and federal data.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cyclospora, the parasite behind the illness cyclosporiasis, is spread through consuming food or water that is contaminated with human feces.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Symptoms include 'explosive' diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting in patients. The disease normally resolves in two weeks and is rarely fatal, although it can trigger potentially life-threatening dehydration.<\/p>\n
The CDC estimates 22,000 people have been sickened by cyclosporiasis, caused by the cyclospora\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The updated figures come amid a major outbreak of the disease linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, that was sold at Taco Bell and other stores.<\/p>\n
In North Carolina, authorities are probing lettuce, cilantro and parsley as a potential source of the infections.\u00a0In Michigan, health officials have not pinpointed a specific source but have urged people to thoroughly wash and trim certain produce before consuming them. These items include lettuce and leafy greens, cilantro, basil, green onions, raspberries and snow peas.<\/p>\n
A total of 15 states have recorded cases in the major outbreak so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Health officials are currently tracking six outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the US.\u00a0 The separate outbreaks do not mean that each is not related, experts say, but suggest that health officials have identified a common food source for each cluster of infections.<\/p>\n
Nationwide, CDC officials said patients sickened with cyclosporiasis were ages one to 98 years old, with an average age of 44 years, and 56 percent were female.\u00a0<\/p>\n