US Investigates Major Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

In August 2026, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated a major multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal parasitic disease linked to contaminated produce.

Key Points

Causative Agent: Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which spreads through food or water contaminated with human faeces.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue and dehydration.
High-Risk Groups: Children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe illness.
Treatment: The recommended treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), commonly known as Bactrim.
Prevention: Proper washing of fruits and vegetables, discarding outer leaves of leafy vegetables and cooking food to 70°C (158°F) help reduce the risk of infection.