Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens Over 2,400 People Across 31 States, No Deaths Reported

At least 843 people across 31 states contracted Cyclospora by July 2026, with 86 hospitalizations recorded. Michigan alone reported 1,562 infections and 44 hospitalizations, a sharp rise from 170 cases on June 30. The CDC stated the outbreak began May 1.

Investigations continued in 30 states besides Michigan. No deaths were reported in the outbreak that has sickened more than 1,500 people in Michigan and over 1,000 Americans overall. Parents of toddlers who rely on berries for daily snacks faced new choices.

Jamie Heimos, a child therapist in St. Louis, Missouri, with a 1-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, buys one large container of blueberries and two of strawberries each week. She said she lacks time to turn the fruit into jam or pie.

Jenna Werner, a registered dietitian and mother of three children aged 1, 2, and 5, said her kids would survive off raspberries if allowed. Cinthia Scott, a pediatric dietitian in Alabama, recommended simmering berries with chia seeds and lemon juice to make jam. The CDC stated Cyclospora cannot be removed by washing.

Heating food to 158°F kills the parasite. The freezing process does not kill it, though no prior outbreak has been linked to frozen foods. Local produce passes through fewer hands than imported items.

Werner said she is feeding her children items she can peel, such as nectarines, peaches, oranges, bananas, apples, cucumbers, watermelon, and cantaloupe. She added that the period offers a chance to explore new foods and textures.