Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that causes diarrhea. The parasite can spread to humans through infected food and water. An outbreak in the US this summer in Michigan and Ohio is making headlines. But news reports have inflated the numbers for this outbreak by combining the outbreak cases with illnesses that are typically reported in summer. CDC surveillance funding cuts did not cause the outbreak, but lack of funding may be slowing the investigation to find the source. Here’s what to understand about the outbreak and how to stay safe from foodborne illness this summer.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an infection that can spread to humans through food and water infected with the cyclospora parasite. Infection can cause diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, and other intestinal symptoms, although not all infected individuals will experience symptoms. Cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics and is generally not a life-threatening illness.
Individuals who are infected will typically exhibit symptoms about one week after infection, although this infection window may be as low as two days or as high as two weeks or more. The parasite is unlikely to be transmitted between people. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically rise during the spring and summer months.
Which states have seen cyclosporiasis cases this summer?
Michigan has seen a rise in cases of cyclosporiasis this summer, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reporting over 1,500 cases as of July 10. Ohio public health officials have also seen a rise in cases, which may be tied to the same source as the Michigan outbreak.
Thousands of cases have also been reported in at least 31 states, but these are not necessarily part of an outbreak, meaning they don‘t represent an increase in illnesses above what is normal. For example, New York state has recorded approximately 394 cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, but noted that this number is not higher than normal for this time of year. Some of the cases reported nationwide may be associated with travel from other countries where the cyclosporiasis is more common.
A CDC spokesperson told today.com that the agency has “no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking cases happening right now and being reported in the press.”
Is produce the source of a nationwide outbreak?
Cyclosporiasis can spread to humans through food and water that has had contact with feces. The parasite that causes the illness has to live outside of the body in a warm environment for one to two weeks before it can infect people, which is why the illness is more common in tropical and subtropical areas. Produce is thought to be contaminated through irrigation water.
The Michigan state health department is advising consumers to use extra caution in handling specific types of produce, but it is not yet clear whether the current outbreak in Michigan and Ohio was caused by food, because drinking contaminated water, such as while swimming, is another way to contract the illness.
FDA is also investigating two small outbreaks that are suspected to be caused by food, but the number of cases involved in these outbreaks is very small (just 25 cases), and the cause may not be related to the cause of the outbreak in Michigan.
Tips for handling produce
Fresh produce can be washed thoroughly (expect any labeled "prewashed") with running water prior to eating. When handling raw produce, wash your hands thoroughly before and after and be careful to avoid splashing it with water from the sink, which could cross-contaminate. You can buy a colander that attaches to the edge of the sink to avoid this type of splashing, or wash inside a large pot. Be sure to cut away brown or soft spots on produce before eating. And refrigerate any produce that has been cooked or cut within two hours.
Fresh produce does not have to be cooked at this time in order to be safely eaten. However, if you are cooking your fruits and veggies, heating food to 158 degrees or higher does kill cyclospora.
Does buying from a local farmers market reduce your risk?
Cyclospora has been found in produce grown in the US, but it is more common in tropical and subtropical regions. So if you live in a cooler climate, buying locally grown produce means you probably won’t find this parasite. (But farmers market foods are not risk free! Find out how to keep your food safe at the farmers market.)
Funding cuts undermine CDC’s ability to investigate outbreaks
In July 2026, the Trump administration scaled back FoodNet, a CDC foodborne illness surveillance program. These cuts included removing the requirement for tracking cyclosporiasis under the program. FoodNet is used to track illness trends over time, not monitor foods to prevent outbreaks, so these cuts did not increase the likelihood an outbreak would occur.
While FoodNet cuts did not cause this outbreak, lack of federal resources does make it harder for the CDC and its state partners to solve outbreaks like this one.
Resource needs for food safety state partners continue to outpace available funding, with the CDC currently able to support only about 40% of partner requests for foodborne disease surveillance, detection, and response. Cuts to other CDC-funded programs are also putting the squeeze on state programs that investigate foodborne illness, further impeding public health.
This is why CSPI and our coalition partners have been urging Congress to increase food safety funding this year by adding $37 million to the CDC's budget.
Food safety guides to stay safe this summer
Recalls to watch: New botulism risk in infant formula & more
Food and supplement recalls show no signs of slowing as we enter the summer season. The latest recalls include a new botulism risk for infant formula; listeria in cheese; salmonella in cheese bread and specialty beverage mixes; undeclared allergens in pancake mixes; plastic and other foreign materials in frozen foods; and undeclared drugs in supplements. Each year, roughly one in six Americans suffers from a bout of food poisoning. And harmful bacteria or other microbes can mean more than just an upset stomach. Tainted food kills about 3,000 of us every year. The risk of getting sick is higher if you’re pregnant, under age five, over 65, or have a weakened immune system. Here’s what you need to know about the latest, ongoing food and supplement recalls and how to stay safe.
Safe grilling: How to avoid food poisoning at cookouts
Grilling or cooking to feed a crowd at your next barbecue, potluck, or picnic? Food safety matters more than you might think. It’s not just about keeping your food from making you sick. If you or any of your guests are over 65 or under 5, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, they’re at higher risk for more severe illness from food poisoning. We have answers to common questions about marinating, thawing, grilling, and serving food safely.
Home canning: How to avoid food poisoning from botulism
Home canning holds the promise of tomatoes, peaches, and other summer gems available year-round. Want to give it a go? Before you start, check out our answers to some basic questions about how to avoid food poisoning from botulism. For step-by-step instructions on how to can specific foods safely, rely on reputable sources that test their recipes.
