Understanding the Risk of Cyclospora Infections

Your level of concern regarding cyclosporiasis may vary based on your location. Although news reports might suggest a widespread issue, an examination of the statistics tells a different story.

There is indeed a significant problem in five states where most cases are concentrated. Additionally, states like New York and Illinois are reporting slightly elevated numbers of infections compared to what’s typical for this time of year.

However, it remains uncertain if these infections are connected to the iceberg lettuce outbreak noted in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, part of a separate outbreak of unknown origin, or simply reflect the usual seasonal uptick in cyclospora cases during the summer months.

For instance, Marissa Crary, a representative from the New York State Department of Health, mentioned on July 17 that preliminary figures show approximately 576 cyclosporiasis cases reported since May, aligning with the state’s normal annual records of 500 to 700 cases. “The current statewide cases in New York do not show a significant departure from the average,” Crary stated.

As of July 20, Illinois recorded 355 cases, though it appears only 180 of those were acquired domestically—cyclosporiasis is often contracted while traveling abroad. Matthew Mata from the Illinois Department of Public Health noted that while this figure is “higher than average,” a definitive source or cause for the increase remains unidentified, and there’s no evidence of a widespread outbreak responsible for most of these cases.

In contrast, many other states—like California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota—are reporting case counts that are either aligned with or below what is expected for this season. Amy Barrett from the Minnesota Department of Health reported 66 cases since May 1 and confirmed that “none of Minnesota’s cases were linked to the multistate outbreak, and we are not observing a rise in cases beyond what we would anticipate for this time of year.” Similarly, California health officials indicated on July 14 that the state has witnessed fewer cyclosporiasis cases compared to the same timeframe in 2025.