As summer continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding the public to be aware of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite
Cyclospora cayetanensis.
While cases are reported year-round in the United States, illnesses occur most often from May through August, when fresh produce is more commonly implicated. CDC conducts year-round surveillance with state and local health departments to monitor disease trends and quickly identify foodborne outbreaks. People who become infected may experience watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss, typically beginning about one week after exposure.
As part of its ongoing
surveillance efforts, CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are also investigating a
multistate outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Fresh Foods
voluntarily recalled affected iceberg lettuce products because of possible
Cyclospora contamination. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and discard or return any recalled products and continue practicing safe food handling, including washing produce when appropriate, maintaining good hand hygiene, and seeking medical care if symptoms develop. Prompt reporting of illnesses and adherence to recall notices help protect communities and support public health investigations.