Cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise in North Carolina, with 867 people affected and 33 hospitalized due to the parasite, according to the latest report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

Since July 28, the department reported 149 new cases and nine hospitalizations through August 4.

Since May 1, when cases began being reported nationally and at the state level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 6,707 cases, but warns that there are more than 11,500 additional cases that have not been confirmed. The disease has already claimed the lives of two people.

They launch a dashboard for tracking cases

In order to track the outbreak, the NCDHHS recently launched the Cyclosporiasis Case and Outbreak Dashboardwhich will be updated every Tuesday with the latest information.

The CDC also publishes weekly Cyclosporiasis case updates in 2026, due to the increase in multiple states, compared to 2025.

What is cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal disease caused by a microscopic parasite, and both health providers Laboratories are required to report cases to local health departments. These cases typically increase during the spring and summer, between May and August.

The source has not yet been identified.

The department said that, while a specific source has not yet been identified, recent interviews with patients commonly report the consumption of parsley and cilantro among cases of cyclosporiasis.

However, many cases did not report having eaten any of these foods before becoming ill, suggesting that there could be multiple sources of exposure.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite, which can be spread through contaminated food or water.

People over 55 are the most affected

The NCDHHS reported that adults 55 and older have been the most affected group, with 264 cases since May 1. Adults aged 19 to 54 account for another 447 cases.

Although rinsing and washing fresh fruits and vegetables can remove some of the parasite, health experts caution that this does not guarantee its complete elimination. Cyclosporiasis can be prevented by cooking food to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Products linked to cyclospora

To eliminate the risk of getting sick, the NCDHHS recommends avoiding parsley and cilantro, and using locally grown produce or cooking it thoroughly to avoid getting sick or making others sick.

In the United States, cyclospora infections are commonly linked to fresh produce, especially that eaten raw, in addition to cilantro and parsley, the following:

Packaged salad mixes, romaine and iceberg lettuce, fresh herbs such as basil, berries such as raspberries, peas, long green onions, vegetable trays, and broccoli.

The CDC is currently investigating several outbreaks, including one affecting nine states linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, but cases have also been confirmed in more than 30 states since May.

Common symptoms

While some people may not experience symptoms, most people generally feel ill about a week after exposure to the parasite.

Cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics. It is also important to prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water or electrolyte-enhanced beverages. 

They also recommend contacting your healthcare provider if you experience frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea, which is the most common symptom, or if you suspect you may have cyclosporiasis.

Other symptoms include: stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, loss of appetite, mild fever, and persistent tiredness or fatigue.

You may be interested:  What are the mental health centers in County Durham?

How it spreads

Cyclospora is spread through food or water that has been in contact with fecal matter. It is very unlikely to be transmitted directly from person to person because, once it leaves the body, the parasite needs at least one or two weeks in the environment before it can infect someone.

In the United States, outbreaks are often traced back to fresh produce, such as herbs, berries, and lettuce leaves.

How to prevent it

Although there is no vaccine against cyclosporiasis, and washing produce may not completely eliminate the parasite, safe eating habits are the best protection.

Steps that reduce risk include: 

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
• Remove any bruised or damaged areas from the produce before eating.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked products as soon as possible.
• When possible, cook fresh produce to reduce the risk, because heat kills the parasite.
• Avoid food or water that may be contaminated, especially when traveling through areas where cyclosporiasis is common.

Rinsing vegetables and fruits

• Rinsing vegetables can help reduce the amount of cyclospora, but it will not eliminate it completely.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas of the fruits or vegetables.
• Rinse the produce before peeling to avoid cross-contamination.
• Gently rub them under running water. There's no need to use soap or products specifically designed for washing fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce such as cucumbers and melons.
• Remove the outermost leaves of a lettuce or cabbage.

For more information on cyclosporiasis, visit the Cyclosporiasis section on the NCDHHS website.

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Cyclosporiasis cases are rapidly increasing in North Carolina

by Patricia Ortiz, Enlace Latino NC
August 5, 2026

Enlace Latino NCAugust 5, 2026 Cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise in North Carolina, with 867 people affected and 33 hospitalized due to the parasite, according to the latest report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Since July 28, the department reported 149 new cases and nine hospitalizations through August 4. Since May 1, when cases began to be reported at the national and state levels, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 6,707 cases, but warns that there are more than 11,500 additional cases that have not been confirmed. The disease has already claimed the lives of two people. They launch a dashboard for tracking cases In order to track the outbreak, the NCDHHS recently launched the Cyclosporiasis Case and Outbreak Dashboard , which will be updated every Tuesday with the latest information. The CDC also publishes weekly updates on cyclosporiasis cases in 2026, due to the increase in multiple states, compared to 2025. What is cyclosporiasis? Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal disease caused by a microscopic parasite, and both health providers and laboratories must report cases to local health departments. These cases typically increase during the spring and summer between May and August. Health The increase in cases of cyclosporiasis has once again brought attention to this foodborne illness. Read: What is the Cyclospora parasite, what are the symptoms, how is it transmitted, and what measures can help prevent infection . The source has not yet been identified. The department said that, while a specific source has not yet been identified, recent interviews with patients commonly report the consumption of parsley and cilantro among cases of cyclosporiasis. However, many cases did not report having eaten any of these foods before becoming ill, suggesting that there could be multiple sources of exposure. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite, which can be spread through contaminated food or water. People over 55 are the most affected The NCDHHS reported that adults 55 and older have been the most affected group, with 264 cases since May 1. Adults aged 19 to 54 account for another 447 cases. Although rinsing and washing fresh fruits and vegetables may remove some of the parasite, health experts warn that this does not guarantee that it will be completely eliminated. Cyclosporiasis can be prevented by cooking food to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Products linked to cyclospora To eliminate the risk of getting sick, the NCDHHS recommends avoiding parsley and cilantro, and using locally grown produce or cooking it thoroughly to avoid getting sick or making others sick. In the United States, cyclospora infections are commonly linked to fresh produce, especially that eaten raw, in addition to cilantro and parsley, the following: Packaged salad mixes, romaine and iceberg lettuce, fresh herbs such as basil, berries such as raspberries, peas, long green onions, vegetable trays, and broccoli. The CDC is currently investigating several outbreaks, including one affecting nine states linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, but cases have also been confirmed in more than 30 states since May. Common symptoms While some people may not experience symptoms, most people generally feel ill about a week after exposure to the parasite. Cyclosporiasis can be treated with antibiotics. It is also important to prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water or drinks with added electrolytes. They also recommend contacting your healthcare provider if you experience frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea, which is the most common symptom, or if you suspect you may have cyclosporiasis. Other symptoms include: stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, loss of appetite, mild fever, and persistent tiredness or fatigue. You may be interested in: What are the mental health centers in Durham County? How it spreads Cyclospora is spread through food or water that has been in contact with fecal matter. It is very unlikely to be transmitted directly from person to person because, once it leaves the body, the parasite needs at least one or two weeks in the environment before it can infect someone. In the United States, outbreaks are often traced back to fresh produce, such as herbs, berries, and lettuce leaves. How to prevent it Although there is no vaccine against cyclosporiasis, and washing produce may not completely eliminate the parasite, safe eating habits are the best protection. Steps that reduce risk include: Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Remove any bruised or damaged areas from the produce before eating. Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked products as soon as possible. When possible, cook fresh produce to reduce the risk, because heat kills the parasite. Avoid food or water that may be contaminated, especially when traveling through areas where cyclosporiasis is common. Rinsing vegetables and fruits Rinsing vegetables can help reduce the amount of cyclospora, but it will not eliminate it completely. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas of the fruits or vegetables. Rinse the produce before peeling to avoid cross-contamination. Rub them gently while holding them under running water. It is not necessary to use soap or products to wash fresh fruits and vegetables. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce such as cucumbers and melons. Remove the outermost leaves of a lettuce or cabbage. For more information about cyclosporiasis, visit the Cyclosporiasis section on the NCDHHS website. This <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/se-incrementan-rapidamente-los-casos-de-ciclosporiasis-en-carolina-del-norte/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org">Enlace Latino NCand is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://enlacelatinonc.org/se-incrementan-rapidamente-los-casos-de-ciclosporiasis-en-carolina-del-norte/", urlref: window.location.href }); } }

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