A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis has sickened more than 1,600 people across 34 states, and Los Angeles County health officials are urging residents to take extra care when handling fresh produce. No cases tied to the outbreak have been identified in LA County or anywhere in California, according to the Santa Monica Mirror, citing local health authorities.
The CDC reported 1,645 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired cases and 141 hospitalizations as of Sunday, July 13. No deaths have been recorded. The agency is also tracking more than 5,100 additional reported illnesses that have not yet been lab-confirmed. Federal officials expect the outbreak to continue through August.
The confirmed case count is more than six times the 249 cases reported nationally by mid-July 2025, according to CDC surveillance data updated Tuesday, July 15.
Michigan is the epicenter. The state has reported more than 3,700 total infections, a figure that includes cases still awaiting lab confirmation, according to the Los Angeles Times. Investigators there are focused on packaged lettuce and salad greens as a possible source. No definitive common food item has been officially identified by federal regulators.
California case count remains low
California recorded 41 provisional cyclosporiasis cases between January and June 2026, down from 80 during the same period in 2025 and well below the state's 10-year annual average of about 106 cases. Most of those 41 cases were tied to international travel, according to the California Department of Public Health.
"It's important to understand that California experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year, with a majority of cases acquired internationally," CDPH Director Erica Pan told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, July 15. "Cases for 2026 are well within expected ranges for California."
Four domestic cases have been reported in California since May 1. Two of those patients reported traveling to the Midwest, and investigations are ongoing, according to CDPH information officer Beth Deines.
What residents should know
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People contract it by consuming contaminated fresh produce or water. It does not spread person to person.
Symptoms typically appear about a week after exposure and include watery diarrhea, severe fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea. Without treatment, symptoms can persist for weeks and may come and go. One North Carolina woman who tested positive described two weeks of dehydration and lightheadedness before getting a diagnosis.
The infection is treated with the antibiotic Bactrim. CDC Deputy Director Gwen Biggerstaff urged patients experiencing prolonged diarrhea to specifically request a Cyclospora test, because the parasite may not show up on standard stool panels.
How to protect yourself
The California Department of Public Health recommends:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. Scrub firm produce with a clean brush.
- Remove and discard outer leaves from lettuce and leafy greens.
- Cook vegetables and herbs when practical, especially for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit kills the parasite.
- Use clean cutting boards and utensils. Refrigerate cut or peeled produce within two hours.
Washing reduces risk but does not fully eliminate it, because Cyclospora's tough outer shell resists standard disinfectants and rinsing, according to the FDA. Previous U.S. outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, cilantro, basil, snow peas, and mixed salad greens.
Residents who develop prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, or stomach cramps after eating raw vegetables should contact their health care provider and ask specifically about Cyclospora testing.
