What is cyclosporiasis? | Explained
A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has been reported in the United States, with 1,645 confirmed cases since May 1, 2026. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted this figure is substantially higher than the 249 cases reported at the same time last year, and an additional 5,100 cases are under investigation. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the main symptom being frequent, explosive, watery diarrhea, and the CDC has not yet identified a specific food source for the outbreak.