CDC reports record number of cyclospora infections in 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that it has confirmed an additional 2,500 cyclospora infections, making 2026 the highest-recorded year for the parasite in the United States. Since May 1, a total of 4,173 domestic cases have been verified across 41 states, alongside 767 infections linked to international travel. The agency is also reviewing more than 7,400 suspected cases that have not yet been confirmed. No fatalities have been reported, but 308 patients have been hospitalized.

The previous annual peak occurred in 2019, when 4,703 cases were documented. Since 2016, the CDC has averaged about 2,800 infections per year. Officials continue to investigate the sources of the outbreak, which spreads through contaminated food and water. One cluster involving at least 1,644 cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky has been tied to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and grown in central Mexico.

Health experts note that the true number of infections is probably higher because many individuals with cyclosporiasis do not seek testing. State health departments have reported case counts that exceed the federal total, with combined figures surpassing 11,000 infections.

"We are working with state partners to identify all possible sources and to prevent further spread," a CDC spokesperson said.