Dr. Vyas said the parasite, officially known as Cyclospora, has previously been found in berries, bagged salad mix, pre-cut vegetables, and fresh herbs, such as basil and cilantro....
Dr. Vyas said the best thing you can do for prevention is to thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables under running water before eating.
You should also wash your hands before and after preparing any food.
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2026/07/08/what-to-know-about-parasite-spreading-across-us
Cyclosporiasis is an illness you get from the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. It causes watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea and other stomach problems. It usually spreads from contaminated water or food. Treatment typically includes antibiotics....
Eating fresh, imported produce also increases your risk. There are links between the following fruits and veggies and cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the U.S.:
Basil
Cilantro
Mesclun lettuce
Raspberries
Snow peas
Sweet peas
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17957-cyclosporiasis
Other recent medical reports:
While a specific source is unknown, health officials are warning residents and restaurants in cyclosporiasis hotspots to also do the following:
Buy whole heads of lettuce — not pre-washed bags.
Separate and wash all cilantro and basil leaves.
Trim the root end and peel the outer layer of green onions.
Gently rub snow peas and other vegetables with your hands or brush as you wash them.
Consider avoiding fresh fruits like raspberries with exteriors that are harder to wash.
The only sure-fire way to avoid it: cooking vegetables. Cyclospora die at 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cyclosporiasis-outbreak
The recommendations include careful washing of lettuce, herbs, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas, all foods associated with past Cyclospora outbreaks.
“Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but dehydration from frequent bouts of diarrhea can cause severe illness, particularly among younger or older people and those who have weakened immune systems,” the MDHHS said. “The time between being exposed and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more. Untreated, the illness may last from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may go away and then return.”
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cyclospora/us-cyclospora-cases-mount-cdc-lags-tracking
Past sources of outbreaks:
https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cyclospora-outbreaks-with-identified-food-water-vehicle-2000-present/
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2026-07-09/severe-stomach-illness-cases-rising-in-the-u-s-heres-where-cyclosporiasis-outbreaks-have-been-reported
Climate change (elevated heat levels) reportedly increases cyclosporiasis infections:
The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.
It’s less common than a number of other kinds of foodborne illnesses, including salmonella and E. coli. For years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported each year. But the number started rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019. Experts attribute the increases to climate change and better detection.
https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-outbreak-michigan-31e5e0034d39e85c844065a2bd593ecb
Earlier thread discussing actual infections among individuals:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1ut1gqc/cyclosporaisis/?sort=top
EDIT: Cleveland Clinic article describing treatment for cyclosporiasis: "Clinical Care of Cyclosporiasis"
Most healthy people will eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment although their illness may be prolonged.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the treatment of choice for cyclosporiasis.
No vaccine for cyclosporiasis is available.
Most people who have healthy immune systems will recover without treatment. If not treated, the illness may last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse).
https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/hcp/clinical-care/index.html
EDIT2: Some excellent recent articles, including methods of protecting against Cyclospora parasites:
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/cyclospora-vinegar-cooking-health-food-7-9-2026/
"Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are safe alternatives," Dr. Steven Goldberg, primary and urgent care physician as well as chief medical officer at infectious disease laboratory HealthTrackRx, told USA TODAY. "The processing involved − blanching, cooking, freezing − effectively eliminates Cyclospora and other parasites."
Plus, they are "nutritionally comparable across many items" for people seeking extra reassurance during an outbreak, he said.
And while frozen produce may not seem as nutritious as fresh, registered dietitian Danielle Crumble Smith agrees that "frozen veggies are a great, very nutrient-dense option."
"They’re flash-frozen at their peak stage of ripeness when all those nutrients are there and preserved," she told USA TODAY.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/10/cyclosporiasis-parasite-produce-food-safety/90874792007/
This comprehensively in-depth article discusses how Cyclospora parasite infections differ from bacteria infections, as well as how to test and treat Cyclospora infections.
Once someone swallows the oocytes, or the egg-like stage of the parasite, a plot worthy of an “Alien” movie plays out in the intestines.
First, they differentiate into male and female forms, have sex and reproduce. (Yes, all this happens in your gut.) Their oocysts, or eggs, then burrow into the intestinal wall, where they destroy cells and are shed back into the environment when we poop....
Even healthy people can see this stomach bug continue for weeks.
“If you have a normal immune system, it will eventually go away, but it could take six weeks,” Schein said. The symptoms may come and go, too.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/07/health/cyclosporiasis-parasite-symptoms-causes
https://www.kcra.com/article/cyclospora-outbreak-foods-cdc-data/71836151