Ohio reports over 4,000 cyclosporiasis cases as outbreak spreads to 45 states

The Ohio Department of Health reported 4,013 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 31, up from 2,576 a week earlier, marking a 55% rise in the latest count. The surge pushed the number of Ohio counties with at least 100 cases to eleven, with Lucas County leading at 554 cases, followed by Cuyahoga (459) and Wood (446).

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed infections since May 1, an increase of more than 2,500 from the previous week, and noted that cases have now been identified in 45 states. An additional 11,500 probable cases, primarily in Michigan and Ohio, remain unconfirmed.

Hospitalizations related to the parasite total 423 across the United States, with Ohio accounting for 172 of those admissions. Federal investigators continue to examine multiple outbreak sources, the largest of which is linked to iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico and associated with a recall by Taylor Farms.

Cyclosporiasis, caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, typically spreads through consumption of contaminated food or water. The CDC recommends trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as the preferred treatment and advises safe handling of fresh produce to reduce infection risk.