US Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 1,645 Confirmed Cases

A widespread outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite has sickened thousands of people across the United States, with public health officials calling it a significant and unusual surge in infections this season. As of July 15, federal authorities have confirmed 1,645 laboratory-verified cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states and are investigating more than 5,100 probable cases, figures far surpassing those from recent years. No specific food product, grower, or distributor has been confirmed as the source, leaving investigators racing to identify the contamination's origin.

The outbreak, traced back to illnesses starting around May 1, involves people who became sick after eating food in the United States and reported no international travel in the 14 days before their symptoms began. Officials have noted two potential peaks in illness onset, one around June 25 and another around July 7, suggesting there may have been two separate contamination events. Cases have been recorded in individuals ranging from 2 to 95 years old, with a median age of 44. At least 141 people have required hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported.