Parasite Causing Diarrhea Found in 31 States — How to Safely Prepare Food

Since early May 2026, a parasitic outbreak caused by Cyclospora has affected 31 states across the U.S., with confirmed cases reaching 843 and dozens hospitalized. This microscopic parasite leads to an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis, which causes severe diarrhea and other symptoms. As health officials continue investigating the source, residents are urged to take extra precautions when handling and consuming fresh produce to avoid infection.

What Is Cyclospora and How Does It Spread?

Cyclospora is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness marked primarily by watery diarrhea, often frequent and explosive. Other symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, and flu-like signs such as headaches and low-grade fever. Infection occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated with human feces containing Cyclospora oocysts. Contamination typically happens during growing, harvesting, or processing phases of food production.

The current outbreak’s exact source remains unidentified. However, prior cases have commonly been traced back to fresh produce such as raspberries, lettuce, basil, cilantro, green onions, and snow peas. Local and federal health agencies are actively investigating to pinpoint the contaminated food items and mitigate further spread.

Foods to Avoid and How to Prepare Produce Safely

Until investigators identify the contamination source, health experts recommend avoiding certain fresh fruits and vegetables known to have been linked to cyclosporiasis in past outbreaks. These include:

• Lettuce
• Raspberries
• Green onions
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Snow peas
• Bagged or pre-prepared salads

Washing produce thoroughly remains essential, but unfortunately, Cyclospora is resistant to washing because it adheres tightly to surfaces. Simply rinsing or scrubbing fruits and vegetables may not fully remove the parasite. Cooking produce to an internal temperature of at least 158°F (70°C) is effective, as Cyclospora cannot survive heat at that level.

Additional food safety practices include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling fresh produce, cleaning chopping boards and utensils regularly, and avoiding cross-contamination with raw foods.

Impact on Restaurants and Food Chains

Some national restaurant chains have responded cautiously amid the outbreak. For example, Taco Bell temporarily removed certain menu items suspected to contain potentially contaminated ingredients to prevent spread. Chipotle has publicly stated they do not believe their ingredient sources are linked to the outbreak but continue monitoring the situation closely.

Other major chains and the National Restaurant Association have yet to publicly disclose changes to food handling or sourcing procedures. Consumers are encouraged to stay informed about updates from their favorite dining establishments and exercise caution when ordering salads or produce-heavy items.

Recognizing Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Care

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis generally begin about one week after exposure to the parasite. Beyond severe diarrhea, infected individuals may experience weight loss, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. While many people recover without medical intervention, severe cases require antibiotic treatment prescribed by healthcare providers.

The true number of infections is likely higher than reported since mild cases often go untested or undiagnosed, partly because testing requires multiple stool samples and can be costly. Anyone experiencing persistent diarrhea lasting more than a few days, especially with other symptoms like stomach cramps or nausea, should consult a doctor promptly.

As the investigation continues, residents of North Carolina and beyond should stay vigilant about food safety, avoid high-risk produce when possible, and follow hygiene best practices to reduce their risk of infection during this ongoing Cyclospora outbreak.