Parasite Outbreak Affects 1,400 in Maryland; Safety Tips Inside

WHO:

CNN - At least 1,400 people have been affected by a parasite outbreak.

CBS News - Maryland's Department of Health has confirmed 32 cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026, with 28 reported since May 1.

CBS News - MedStar Health confirmed at least one case in Baltimore.

CBS News - Dr. Jonathan Thierman is the president of Expresscare Urgent Care Centers.

CNN - Dr. Rebecca Schein is an infectious disease expert at Michigan State University Health Care.

WHAT:

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to more than 1,500 cases, with 1,562 reports received since June 22.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - As of July 10, 44 people have been hospitalized in Michigan due to the outbreak.

BBC - The outbreak spans more than a dozen states, with nearly 3,000 people sickened nationwide.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to more than 1,500 cases, with 1,562 reports received since June 22.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - As of July 10, 44 people have been hospitalized in Michigan due to the outbreak.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - The outbreak was first reported in late June after the Monroe County Health Department began investigating a cluster of cases.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Cases have been confirmed in 40 counties in Michigan, with Monroe County reporting the most at 215 cases.

BBC - The outbreak spans more than a dozen states, with nearly 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan in a two-week period.

WHYY - The Pennsylvania Department of Health recorded 28 cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026, with 14 occurring in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

WHYY - In 2025, Pennsylvania recorded 40 cases of cyclosporiasis, and in 2024, there were 87 cases.

CNN - The epicenter of the outbreak is Michigan, where more than 1,200 people have fallen ill.

Ars Technica - In Ohio, cases have reportedly reached over 500.

Fox News - Louisiana health officials have confirmed 23 cases of Cyclospora infection in the state, with one hospitalization reported.

13wham.com - Nearly 400 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in New York since May.

Fox News - Louisiana health officials have confirmed 23 cases of Cyclospora infection in the state, with one hospitalization reported.

Fox News - The number of cases in Louisiana is slightly above the state's recent average of 20 reported cases over the same time period during the past five years.

Ars Technica - In Ohio, cases have reportedly reached over 500.

Fox News - More than 1,000 cyclosporiasis cases have been diagnosed in Michigan and Ohio.

13wham.com - Ohio has confirmed more than 800 cases of cyclosporiasis.

13wham.com - Nearly 400 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in New York since May.

Ars Technica - Michigan's outbreak of cyclosporiasis has jumped to over 1,200 cases.

13wham.com - Nearly 400 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in New York since May.

13wham.com - Michigan has recorded more than 1,000 cases, while Ohio has confirmed more than 800 cases.

CBS News - Maryland health officials state that the summer and spring months are when cyclosporiasis cases increase, mainly from May 1 through August 31.

CBS News - A common link for the cases reported from May 1 to July 7 has not been identified by the Maryland Department of Health.

CNN - The outbreak is caused by a microscopic parasite called cyclospora, leading to diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.

CNN - More than 40 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.

CBS News - The Maryland Department of Health reported 128 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 2025 and 204 cases in 2024.

CBS News - Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue.

CNN - Treatment for cyclosporiasis is seven to 10 days of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, sold as Bactrim or Septra.

WHERE:

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Most of the cases in Michigan have been reported in Southeast Michigan, including counties such as Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Most cases in Michigan have been reported in Southeast Michigan, including counties such as Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

WHYY - A cluster of cyclosporiasis cases has been reported in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Fox News - Most of New York's infections have been reported in New York City, with the remainder scattered across the state.

13wham.com - Most of New York's infections have been reported in New York City, with the remainder scattered across the state.

CNN - The epicenter of the outbreak is Michigan, with more than 1,200 cases reported.

CNN - Ohio has reported nearly 200 cases.

CBS News - Cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in at least 18 states, including Maryland, New York, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas.

WHEN:

CBS News - The Maryland Department of Health reported 28 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1.

CBS News - In Maryland, there were 18 reported cases from May 1 to July 7 in 2025.

CBS News - In Maryland, there were 19 reported cases from May 1 to July 7 in 2024.

WHY:

Fox News - The CDC considers May 1 through August 31 the yearly cyclosporiasis season.

13wham.com - The New York State Department of Health is working with the CDC, FDA, and local health departments to identify possible sources of exposure.

CNN - Investigators have not yet determined the source of the cyclosporiasis cases.

CBS News - Cyclosporiasis is linked to fresh produce and can be transmitted through fecal-oral contamination.

HOW:

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched a cyclosporiasis outbreak webpage, where case counts are updated daily by 11 a.m. ET.

[11:49 AM EDT] - CBS News - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched a cyclosporiasis outbreak webpage, where case counts are updated daily by 11 a.m. ET.

CNN - Investigators have not yet determined the source or sources causing this year’s cyclosporiasis cases.

CNN - Cooking food to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

CNN - Cooking food to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora.

CNN - The parasite cyclospora is resistant to bleach and can show up in recreational water sources like chlorinated swimming pools and splash pads, as well as in lakes and rivers.

CNN - Cooking food to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills cyclospora.

CNN - Washing fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly can help reduce the risk of infection.

CNN - A rinse of one part vinegar to three parts water can remove most cyclospora spores from produce.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 17:31 UTC)

Michigan is currently facing a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak, with over 1,500 cases reported, including 1,562 since June 22, and 44 individuals hospitalized. The outbreak has affected nearly 3,000 people across more than a dozen states, with most cases in Michigan concentrated in Southeast counties like Jackson, Lenawee, and Oakland. To keep the public informed, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has created a dedicated webpage that updates case counts daily by 11 a.m. ET.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 16:41 UTC)

Michigan is currently facing a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak, with over 1,500 cases reported since June 22, and 44 individuals hospitalized due to the illness. The outbreak, which was first identified in late June, has affected 40 counties across the state, with Monroe County leading with 215 confirmed cases. To keep the public informed, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has created a dedicated webpage that updates case counts daily by 11 a.m. ET.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 13:37 UTC)

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis is affecting more than a dozen states, with nearly 1,000 diagnoses reported in Michigan over the past two weeks. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health has confirmed 28 cases this year, with 14 of those occurring in Southeastern Pennsylvania, while the state saw 40 cases in 2025 and 87 in 2024. Investigators are still working to identify the source or sources behind this year's cases, which have also been clustered in New Jersey.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 06:17 UTC)

The outbreak of Cyclospora is currently centered in Michigan, where over 1,200 people have fallen ill, while Ohio has reported more than 500 cases. In Louisiana, health officials have confirmed 23 cases, with one hospitalization noted, and nearly 400 cases have been identified in New York since May. To combat the spread, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises cooking food to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to effectively kill the parasite.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 01:26 UTC)

Health officials in Louisiana have confirmed 23 cases of Cyclospora infection, which is slightly above the state's recent average of 20 cases during this time over the past five years, with one hospitalization reported. Meanwhile, Ohio has seen a significant spike, with cases reportedly exceeding 500. Most infections in New York have been concentrated in New York City, as the CDC notes that the cyclosporiasis season typically runs from May 1 through August 31 each year.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 00:18 UTC)

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis is affecting multiple states, with Michigan reporting over 1,200 cases and Ohio confirming more than 800. Additionally, nearly 400 cases have been identified in New York since May, prompting the New York State Department of Health to collaborate with the CDC and FDA to trace potential sources of exposure. Health officials recommend cooking food to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to effectively eliminate the cyclospora parasite.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 22:23 UTC)

Nearly 400 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed in New York since May, with most infections reported in New York City and the rest scattered throughout the state. Meanwhile, Michigan has recorded over 1,000 cases, and Ohio has confirmed more than 800. The New York State Department of Health is collaborating with the CDC, FDA, and local health departments to identify possible sources of exposure.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 21:22 UTC)

Maryland health officials have reported an increase in cyclosporiasis cases during the warmer months, particularly from May 1 through August 31. However, as of now, the Maryland Department of Health has not identified a common source for the cases reported between May 1 and July 7. The cyclospora parasite, which is resistant to bleach, can be found in recreational water sources like chlorinated swimming pools and splash pads, as well as in lakes and rivers.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 17:42 UTC)

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis has affected at least 1,400 people across the United States, with Maryland's Department of Health confirming 32 cases this year, including 28 reported since May 1. The outbreak, primarily centered in Michigan with over 1,200 cases, is caused by a microscopic parasite leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue, and more than 40 individuals have been hospitalized. Investigators are still working to determine the source of the outbreak, which is often linked to fresh produce and can be mitigated by thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables or cooking food to an internal temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.