Cyclospora Cases Surge in North Carolina as Nationwide Outbreak Expands

North Carolina’s health officials have reported 561 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis from May 1 to July 20, a sharp rise from the earlier count of 307 by mid‑July. The spike comes amid a growing national outbreak that now spans 41 states and exceeds 5,000 reported cases.

What Is Cyclosporiasis?

The illness is triggered by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which contaminates food or water. Common symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite & weight loss
• Nausea
• Low‑grade fever (occasionally)

Vomiting can occur but is less common.

Possible Sources

• Fresh produce: lettuce, parsley, cilantro, and other leafy greens have been linked to earlier investigations.
• Single supplier spread: A separate outbreak involving shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell outlets in several states highlighted how one supplier can spread contamination across a wide area.