Parasitic Outbreak Causing Stomach-Churning Symptoms Spreads Across U.S.

A foreign parasite that causes some nasty symptoms has infiltrated the United States.

The cyclospora parasite causes gastrointestinal issues — most commonly “explosive, watery diarrhea” — which can last for weeks, but is not usually fatal.

So far, around 145 people have fallen ill from it across 20 U.S. states.

Here’s a map of where cases have been reported:

🇺🇸A parasite causing explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 states, with the highest number of cases in New York.

Health officials are investigating the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis but have not yet identified the source.

Symptoms can last weeks… pic.twitter.com/zSdDdyWilH

— NewsForce (@Newsforce) June 30, 2026

This type of parasite does not spread from human-to-human. Usually, people get it from eating food infected with the parasite.

However, experts have not discovered the source of this recent outbreak yet.

The New York Post has more:

A stomach-churning parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened over 140 people across multiple states — with the highest number of cases in New York.

According to the CDC, 145 people ranging in age from 5 to 86 years and from 20 states contracted the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis between May and June 16, with 20 hospitalized.

Fortunately, there have not yet been any deaths.

Since none of the patients had traveled recently, officials believe the cause is food — although they’re unsure of the exact source.

The cyclospora parasite causes cyclosporiasis, a type of food poisoning that leads to diarrhea, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

This infection is usually contracted during travel outside the United States, as a result of consuming food or water that’s been contaminated with feces. It is more common in tropical areas.

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None of the current US patients, however, reported taking any recent trips.

There’s also no evidence that it can be spread from human to human, leading the CDC to believe the patients became sick after eating food in the US.

“Local, state, and federal (CDC, FDA) public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state. Investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing,” the agency reported.

Since there may be patients who haven’t been diagnosed, the actual number of cyclosporiasis cases is likely higher than initially reported — and it’s likely present in states besides those that have been reported.

While this parasite is not very common in the United States, there have been outbreaks in the past.

The Post Millennial noted:

Without treatment, the illness can persist for weeks or even months, increasing the risk of dehydration. Doctors typically treat the infection with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly sold under the brand names Bactrim and Septra. While cyclospora infections in the United States are often linked to imported fresh produce from tropical and subtropical regions, investigators have not yet identified the food responsible for the current outbreak.

The parasite has previously been linked to cilantro, basil, raspberries, mesclun lettuce, and sweet peas. In 2018, nearly 400 people were infected in an outbreak traced to contaminated McDonald’s salads, while imported basil from Mexico was linked to another outbreak in 2019.

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Now might be a great time to pick up some ivermectin, folks!