Maryland reports surge in cyclosporiasis cases since early May

Maryland's Department of Health said 32 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed for 2026, including 28 reported since May 1. The increase follows a seasonal pattern, with the spring and summer months typically seeing higher numbers of infections. The state has not yet identified a common source for the recent cases, which span May 1 to July 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the parasite has affected hundreds of people in at least 18 states nationwide.

In 2025, Maryland recorded 128 confirmed cases, with 18 occurring between May 1 and early July, while 204 cases were documented in 2024, including 19 in the same period last year. Health officials note that cyclosporiasis differs from ordinary food poisoning, producing watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and fatigue that may appear up to a week after exposure, complicating source tracing.

"A fecal-oral transmission, meaning it comes from stool that then contaminates food sources and then gets into another person's system," Dr. Jonathan Thierman, president of Expresscare Urgent Care Centers, explained. "Most typical contaminants are fresh produce, and so they've seen it in lettuce, they've seen it in berries, I think raspberries is one of the most significant, because it's the most difficult to wash because there's a lot of crevices. So it's these little eggs of these parasites that are very sticky and stick on the surface of produce."

Doctors advise washing fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly and seeking medical care for persistent watery diarrhea, as the infection can be treated with antibiotics.