Florida Cyclosporiasis Cases Continue to Rise
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Florida Cyclosporiasis Cases Continue to Rise
- Florida has reported 486 confirmed or suspected cases of cyclosporiasis since January 1, 2026, with nearly 30 new cases identified in the week leading up to August 22, 2026.
- Nationally, the CDC considers May 1 through August 31 as the annual cyclosporiasis season, and as of September 1, 2026, there have been 18,445 laboratory-confirmed cases reported in the United States.
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Florida continues to see an increase in cyclosporiasis cases, with 486 confirmed or suspected infections reported between January 1 and August 22, 2026. This includes nearly 30 new cases reported in the week prior to August 22. The parasitic infection, caused by *Cyclospora cayetanensis*, typically leads to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, and fatigue. Symptoms usually manifest about a week after exposure, but can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks or more.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates May 1 to August 31 as the official cyclosporiasis season in the U.S., cases can still be reported and investigated beyond this period due to a reporting lag of approximately six weeks. As of September 1, 2026, the CDC has recorded 18,445 laboratory-confirmed cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis across 49 states and the District of Columbia, with 990 hospitalizations. This is a substantial increase compared to the 1,180 cases reported in the same period in 2025.
A significant portion of the national outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico, with 11,458 illnesses in 20 states tied to recalled products as of September 1, 2026. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state partners are continuing their investigations into the source and scope of contamination, acknowledging that other clusters of illnesses not linked to this specific outbreak are also under investigation. Health officials advise individuals experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider, as routine stool tests may not always screen for this particular parasite.