Health officials have reported nearly 300 cases of cyclosporiasis in New York City since May 1, with an additional 121 cases identified across the state. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked 145 cases across 17 states through June 16, no single source has been linked to the current multistate outbreak.
Rising Case Counts in New York and Beyond
The latest data provided by the New York State Department of Health shows a surge in cyclosporiasis infections, with 273 cases confirmed in New York City and 121 throughout the rest of the state as of July 9. According to reporting from CBS News, state officials maintain that these figures are not significantly higher than typical seasonal trends for spring and summer.
The situation extends well beyond New York, with the illness reaching Virginia and Maryland. WTOP reports that as of July 7, Virginia health officials had documented 10 cases, while Maryland confirmed a diagnosis at a MedStar urgent care facility. National data from the CDC indicates that while 145 cases were reported in 17 states during the first half of the season, there are significant regional spikes, including nearly 1,000 cases in Michigan and more than 400 in northwest Ohio.
For more on this story, see Michigan Cyclosporiasis Cases Surge to Over 700 in Unusual Parasitic Outbreak.
Understanding the Cyclospora Parasite
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Dr. Miriam Fischer, a senior attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at MedStar Health, noted that the necessity for stool samples to confirm the illness means the true number of infections is likely much higher than official counts.
"People may not even have any symptoms at all," Dr. Fischer told WTOP. For those who do fall ill, the symptoms can be debilitating. Common indicators include watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, weight loss, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
This follows our earlier report, New York Tops U.S. Cyclosporiasis Cases in 2026-Michigan Sees Sudden Surge.
"This isn’t something that a lot of these things are viral and self-limiting and don’t need treatment. This one actually does."
Prevention and Food Safety Challenges
Public health agencies, including the CDC and the FDA, are currently working to identify the source of the contamination, though no single food item has been linked to all cases. Historically, outbreaks of this nature have been associated with imported fresh produce such as cilantro, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and salad mixes, according to CBS News.
While health officials emphasize that the parasite does not spread person-to-person, the nature of the contamination makes prevention difficult for the average consumer. Dr. Fischer advised that while washing produce is a critical layer of protection, it may not be enough to fully eliminate the parasite.
Read also: Michigan sees 170+ cyclosporiasis cases in weeks, tripling annual average.
- Thoroughly wash all fresh produce under running water.
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce.
- Heat food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit, which is sufficient to kill the parasite.
Because symptoms often appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure, tracking the exact point of contamination remains a complex challenge for investigators. Individuals experiencing severe diarrhea or persistent symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare providers for evaluation and appropriate antibiotic treatment.
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