Cyclospora Case Data

For Everyone

Key points

  • This page shows cyclosporiasis surveillance data reported to CDC since the start of the cyclosporiasis season on May 1, 2026.
  • Recent illnesses may not yet be reported due to the time it takes to identify and report Cyclospora cases. It takes about six weeks from the start of symptoms to when CDC receives the case information.
  • The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.
  • The U.S. cyclosporiasis season is May 1 through August 31. Since it takes about six weeks to receive reports of new cases, CDC continues to identify and investigate additional cases beyond this date.
Magnifying glass laying on top of bar graph

What to know

Clusters of cyclosporiasis under investigation

CDC and FDA are investigating multiple clusters of cyclosporiasis. These clusters are listed on FDA's active investigation table. If sources are identified and there is public health action for consumers to take, CDC will issue outbreak notices for these clusters.

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Most cases in the United States occur in spring and summer. Learn more about how CDC collects cyclosporiasis data and investigates outbreaks.

Cases acquired in the U.S.

Cyclosporiasis season

The U.S. cyclosporiasis season is May 1 through August 31. Since it takes about six weeks to receive reports of new cases, CDC continues to identify and investigate additional cases beyond this date.

Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States. For comparison, 1,180 cases were reported in the United States between May 1 and August 31, 2025.

These data include the cases reported in the multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce that recently ended. The data also include cases not linked to that outbreak. Multiple jurisdictions have reported an increase of cases compared with the same period in 2025.

May 1 - September 8, 2026:

Laboratory-confirmed cases
19,595
Hospitalizations
1,043
Deaths

2

States reporting cases

49 plus the District of Columbia

Median age of cases
46 years (range 1 to 99 years)
Sex of cases

56% female

44% male

Median date symptoms started for cases
July 8, 2026 (range May 1 to August 30, 2026)

These people became sick in the United States and did not report any international travel during the 14 days before they got sick.

State health departments may have more information about the situation in their jurisdictions. Additionally, states may report higher case counts than CDC because they may include cases that do not meet CDC's formal reporting criteria.

Notice

There are 9,355 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis reported to CDC requiring further investigation to determine whether they were acquired in the United States or during travel. CDC is aware of at least 6,149 additional cases of cyclosporiasis, which include those that are not laboratory confirmed, or are pending patient interview and submission to CDC. CDC is working closely with states to update surveillance data as additional cases are confirmed.

U.S. case locations

Since May 1, 2026, 19,595 people have been reported with laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States. The map shows the states in which these people live. Potential Cyclospora infections are typically investigated by the state or local health department where people live, even if they were exposed to the parasite in another state. Cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to the locations of known cases. The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

Note: Hover over the map to see the range of cyclosporiasis cases for each state.

These data include case data reported directly to the CDC Cyclospora program. Case counts may not match exactly with those listed in the Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System tables. New York State includes case reports from New York City. In Pennsylvania, cases are reported voluntarily. Data are preliminary and subject to change. For questions related to the number of cases reported in each state, contact that state's health department.

U.S. cases by symptom onset

The chart below, called an epi curve, shows laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora cases reported since May 1, 2026, that were acquired in the United States. Cases are shown by the date a person’s symptoms started.

Daily case counts are preliminary and subject to change. The true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported due to the time it takes to identify and report Cyclospora cases. It takes about six weeks from the start of symptoms to when CDC receives the case information.

How we use epi curves

An epi curve helps public health investigators monitor an outbreak and understand whether illnesses continue to occur or have stopped. This information can guide decisions about public health actions.

Cases acquired outside the U.S.

These cases are in addition to those acquired in the United States.

May 1 - September 8, 2026:

Laboratory-confirmed cases

1,997

Hospitalizations
71
Deaths

0

States reporting cases

46 plus Puerto Rico

Median age of cases
44 years (range 10 months to 89 years)
Sex of cases

57% female

43% male

Median date symptoms started for cases

June 26, 2026 (range May 1 to August 20, 2026)

These people became sick after eating food or drinking water while they were traveling outside the United States during the 14 days before they got sick.

Content Source
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
About This Page
Published: August 25, 2026
Updated: September 11, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 11, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.