(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is now confirmed with one case of cyclosporiasis, with the nationwide total just under two thousand.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Iowa’s case was confirmed in June. Michigan is being called the epicenter of the parasite outbreak, with more than 1,000 cases.
Cyclosporiasis causes explosive diarrhea that can last for days or weeks if not treated. It’s typically transmitted through fresh foods, such as lettuce and berries.
Symptoms can last from a few days to more than a month and may come and go if left untreated. Some people infected with Cyclospora have no symptoms but can still carry the parasite.
Anyone who develops persistent diarrhea, especially after eating fresh produce or during an outbreak, should contact a healthcare provider. Cyclosporiasis is typically treated with the prescription antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Staying hydrated is also important, particularly for people with severe diarrhea.
As of July 9, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 843 cases of cyclosporiasis in 31 states. The affected individuals became sick after eating food in the United States and reported no travel during the 14 days before becoming ill.
Patients ranged in age from 5 to 88, with a median age of 44. About 59% of those infected were female. Illnesses began between May 1 and July 5, with a median onset date of June 18. Of the 843 people with available information, 86 were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Health officials say multiple states have reported more cases during the past two weeks than during the same period in 2025. Because there is typically a six-week delay between illness onset and reporting to the CDC, case counts are expected to continue increasing.
The CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local health departments are investigating several multistate clusters of illness. Investigations are ongoing to identify potential food sources, and no common source has been confirmed.
