The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials are tracking a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis across several states.
This parasitic infection causes severe gastrointestinal illness and dehydration, posing a significant public health risk as officials struggle to identify the contaminated food or water source.
Cyclosporiasis is a food- and water-borne illness caused by a parasite that typically spreads through items contaminated with feces [1, 3]. The infection is known for causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, which a CDC spokesperson said are "explosive" diarrhea [2]. The agency said the illness can lead to profound dehydration [3].
Cases have been rising since May 2024 [1] and continued through June 2026. Health officials are currently investigating hundreds of cases [2]. In Michigan, more than 300 confirmed cases have been reported as the outbreak grows [5].
Recent activity includes a cluster of cases in Monroe County, Michigan, with illness onsets reported during the week of June 22-29, 2026 [4]. Other states reporting cases include New York, Texas, and Florida [1, 5].
State and federal health officials are working to locate the origin of the parasite to prevent further spread. Because the infection is linked to contaminated produce or water, the investigation focuses on tracing the supply chain of food products distributed across the affected regions [1, 3].
Public health agencies continue to monitor new reports to determine if the outbreak is linked to a single product or multiple sources of contamination [2, 3].
“The CDC is tracking the source of a parasite that causes ‘explosive’ diarrhea.”
The geographical spread across multiple states and the duration of the outbreak since 2024 suggest a systemic failure in the food supply chain or a persistent contamination source. The high volume of cases in Michigan indicates a localized hotspot that may help investigators pinpoint the specific product responsible for the transmission.
