Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens Thousands Across 30 States; No Source Identified

A Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak has sickened thousands of people across more than 30 U.S. states. Michigan has recorded more than 2,600 cases, the highest state total reported so far. The parasite produces prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue.

Investigators have not identified any confirmed source of contamination, and many fresh produce items are combined at restaurants before serving, which complicates efforts to isolate a single ingredient. The CDC's most recent published count stands at 843 cases as of July 10.

State-level reports continue to exceed that figure, creating a lag that Craig Hedberg described as suboptimal for timely public updates.

In 2025 the CDC narrowed active surveillance under its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network for eight pathogens that include Cyclospora. Hedberg said Cyclospora remains a nationally reportable disease and that surveillance through the Nationally Notifiable Disease Surveillance System has not changed.

He added that FoodNet is not designed to detect outbreaks and that many affected states fall outside its sites.

Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, said funding cuts have affected investigation speed. She said staffing limits make it harder to interview patients promptly, and delays can erase memory of exposures or remove contaminated food from testing.

Hedberg said multiple contamination sources remain possible and urged officials to release as much information as possible to narrow the list of suspect produce items.

The CDC was contacted for comment but had not responded by publication time.