Surge in Cyclospora Infections Reported Across Multiple Counties

WHO:

WOWT - Douglas County Health Department (DCHD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Cincinnati Enquirer - Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Hamilton County Public Health, Dr. Stephen Feagins (medical director, Hamilton County Public Health), Allison Babka (Hamilton public information officer)

WHAT:

TODAY.com - An estimated 18,000 Americans have been sickened by cyclosporiasis this summer, with at least 423 people hospitalized nationwide.

TODAY.com - Michigan has reported 10,077 cyclosporiasis cases and 160 hospitalizations.

TODAY.com - The CDC has confirmed 6,707 cases and is investigating another 11,500 cases as of July 28.

TODAY.com - The outbreak initially spanned five states and expanded to four more: Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

TODAY.com - The FDA has identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell as a potential source of the outbreak, leading to a recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms.

WOWT - Cyclospora cases in Douglas County have increased to 45, up from 27.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The Ohio Department of Health reported 2,576 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 23, with Hamilton County Public Health counting 29 cases as of July 27.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County Public Health reported 1 new case of cyclosporiasis for the week of July 25–31 as of July 27.

Newsweek - The number of laboratory-confirmed cyclospora cases in the United States has climbed to 6,707 across 45 states.

Fox News - Over 4,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been linked to contaminated produce across 41 states.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Ohio is reporting 2,576 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 23, with Hamilton County Public Health counting 29 cases as of July 27, which includes 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable case.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County is reporting 29 total cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 27, which includes 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable case.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The current week, July 25–31, shows 1 new case in Hamilton County as of July 27.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Michigan has recorded more than 8,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, making it the state with the highest number of cases.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County had no reported cases of cyclosporiasis until June 7, when two cases were tallied.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The breakdown of Hamilton County cases shows 2 cases from June 19-26, 5 cases from June 27-July 3, 8 cases from July 4-10, 3 cases from July 11-17, and 10 cases from July 18-24.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County is reporting 29 total cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 27, which includes 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable case.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The Ohio Department of Health reported 2,576 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 23.

Newsweek - At least 1,947 laboratory-confirmed cases have now been reported across nine states, resulting in 98 hospitalizations.

WOWT - Douglas County has reported 45 cases of Cyclospora, an increase from 27 cases.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Ohio has reported over 2,500 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 23, with 2,576 cases confirmed.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County Public Health counts 29 cases of cyclosporiasis, including 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Michigan has recorded more than 8,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, making it the state with the highest number of cases.

WHERE:

WOWT - Douglas County, Nebraska

Cincinnati Enquirer - Ohio, Hamilton County, Cincinnati

WHEN:

Cincinnati Enquirer - The outbreak in Ohio is believed to have started around June 20.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The CDC team is expected to remain in Ohio for about three weeks.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Hamilton County had no reported cases until June 7, when two cases were tallied.

WHY:

TODAY.com - Investigations are ongoing to determine why cases have reached record-high levels this summer and whether there are other outbreak sources.

WOWT - The increase in cases is being investigated to determine if they are linked to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Cincinnati Enquirer - The outbreak is possibly linked to contaminated lettuce, prompting investigations by the CDC.

HOW:

TODAY.com - Health authorities recommend cooking food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy the Cyclospora parasite.

Cincinnati Enquirer - According to the CDC, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra, or Cotrim, is the treatment of choice for cyclosporiasis.

WOWT - Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse stated, “In this particular case, Cyclospora is best dealt with by cooking.”

WOWT - Health officials are working with the CDC and FDA to investigate the source of the outbreak.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Health officials recommend washing produce thoroughly and practicing safe food handling to prevent infection.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, and cramping, and can begin about a week after consuming contaminated food.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 22:23 UTC)

An estimated 18,000 Americans have been sickened by cyclosporiasis this summer, with at least 423 people hospitalized across the nation, and Michigan alone has reported over 10,000 cases. The CDC has confirmed more than 6,700 cases and is investigating an additional 11,500, while the FDA has identified shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell as a potential source of the outbreak, prompting a recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico by Taylor Farms. Health authorities are advising people to cook food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the Cyclospora parasite as investigations continue into the reasons behind this surge in cases.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 21:19 UTC)

Cyclospora cases in Douglas County have surged to 45, a significant increase from 27. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Health has reported a total of 2,576 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 23, with Hamilton County Public Health noting 29 cases as of July 27. Nationally, the number of laboratory-confirmed cyclospora cases has reached 6,707 across 45 states, with over 4,000 of those cases linked to contaminated produce.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 18:22 UTC)

Ohio is currently reporting a total of 2,576 cases of cyclosporiasis, with Hamilton County Public Health confirming 29 cases as of July 27, which includes 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable case. In the current week, there has been 1 new case reported in Hamilton County, while Michigan leads the nation with over 8,000 cases of the illness. The CDC recommends Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly known as Bactrim, Septra, or Cotrim, as the treatment of choice for those affected by cyclosporiasis.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 10:53 UTC)

Ohio is currently facing a significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with 2,576 reported cases as of July 23, and Hamilton County Public Health confirming 29 cases as of July 27. Notably, Hamilton County had no reported cases until June 7, but the number has steadily increased, with a breakdown showing 10 cases reported from July 18 to 24 alone. Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse emphasized that the best way to handle this situation is through proper cooking to eliminate the Cyclospora parasite.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 02:52 UTC)

Hamilton County is currently reporting a total of 29 cases of cyclosporiasis, which includes 18 confirmed, 10 suspected, and 1 probable case. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Health has noted 2,576 cases statewide, with at least 1,947 laboratory-confirmed cases reported across nine states, leading to 98 hospitalizations. Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse emphasized that in this situation, Cyclospora is best managed by cooking food thoroughly.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 01:28 UTC)

Douglas County, Nebraska, has reported a significant rise in Cyclospora cases, now totaling 45, up from 27, while Ohio has confirmed over 2,500 cases of cyclosporiasis, with Hamilton County accounting for 29 of those. The outbreak, which is believed to have started around June 20, is under investigation by health officials, who are looking into a possible link to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. As health officials collaborate with the CDC and FDA, they are advising the public to wash produce thoroughly and practice safe food handling to prevent infection, as symptoms can include explosive diarrhea and cramping, appearing about a week after consuming contaminated food.