Cyclospora Outbreak 2026: What It Is & How You Catch It

Cases have been climbing sharply in 2026. As of mid-July, health officials have confirmed more than 1,600 domestically acquired cases across at least 34 states, with several thousand more under review, a sharp increase over recent years. Tracing the source is tricky: people often don't get sick until a week or more after eating contaminated food, so it's hard to recall exactly what they ate.

How You Get It

Cyclosporiasis doesn't spread person to person. It's transmitted by eating contaminated fresh produce, or less commonly, by drinking contaminated water. Cases peak between May and August, right when fresh produce consumption is highest.

Past outbreaks have been linked to:

• •Raspberries
• •Bagged lettuce and salad mixes
• •Fresh herbs and leafy greens, like cilantro and basil

How to Reduce Your Risk

The parasite can be difficult to fully wash off produce, but a few precautions still meaningfully lower your risk:

• •Wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water
• •Rinse herbs like cilantro and basil leaf by leaf
• •Remove lettuce's outer leaves and wash what remains
• •Consider whole heads of lettuce over prewashed bagged mixes during active outbreaks
• •Clean countertops and cutting boards with soap and water
• •Practice good hand hygiene while cooking

Cooking is the most reliable way to kill the parasite. That said, avoiding fresh produce altogether isn't the answer. It's still a key part of a healthy diet.

Frequently Asked Questions