First Deaths Reported In Ongoing Cyclospora Outbreak
on Aug 03, 2026 • Updated Aug 03, 2026
In June, a few cases of a parasitic infection known by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to cause “explosive diarrhea” were reported.
Since then, numbers of reported infections from this parasite — known as cyclospora — have increased, with one reported outbreak of cyclospriasis affecting people in nine states.
That particular outbreak was identified on July 17 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as having originated from iceberg lettuce shipped to some Taco Bell locations and Walmart.
Asked about the outbreak, HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on July 21 that the spread of cyclosporiasis is “under control.”
Now, there are 45 states with reported cases of cyclosporiasis, with the CDC reporting as of July 28 that there are 6,707 confirmed cases.
Further, the CDC reports there are “more than 11,500 additional cases of cyclosporiasis that are not laboratory confirmed or require further investigation.”
On Monday, Aug. 3, the first deaths from cyclosporiasis were reported.
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First Deaths From Cyclospora Infection Reported
The state that has been most significantly impacted by the cyclospora outbreak has been Michigan, which has reported more than 11,000 cases of the parasitic infection.
On Aug. 3, the first two deaths from the 2026 cyclospora outbreak were reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
In a news release, MDHHS said:
“Two deaths have been identified as part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Michigan. According to medical records, both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. No additional information will be provided on these two cases.”
The identities of the deceased were not released.
The MDHHS goes on to note, “Cyclosporiasis is generally not a life-threatening illness. Death resulting from cyclosporiasis is uncommon in the United States.”
Typically, the cyclosporiasis season goes from May 1 through Aug. 31, according to the CDC.
First identified from 1993 to 1994, cyclosporiasis was determined to be caused by a “human gastrointestinal pathogen” derived from the cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, the USDA reported in 2023.
Cyclospora are believed to be spread “through human fecal pollution carried by agricultural water,” with the USDA’s report noting that cyclosporiasis “is characterized by symptoms such as explosive diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss.”
The report goes on to state:
“From a total of 70 outbreaks reported globally, 55 were caused by fresh produce. The fruits and vegetables most frequently related to Cyclospora infections were: raspberries (34%), basil (31%), cilantro (10%) and salad mixes (10%). Sugar snap peas, lettuce, blueberries, blackberries, carrots, mangos, mint, scallions, mixed vegetable trays, and fruit salads were also associated with cyclosporiasis outbreaks.”
Humans are believed to be the only viable host for the spread of cyclospora.
Reported Cases Of Infections
As ofAug. 3, the Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan says it has 11,234 reported cases of cyclosporiasis.
USA Today said that New York has 421 cases of cyclospora, with 301 of those cases coming from New York City. NBC News has that figure at 394.
Most of Ohio’s 177 cases of cyclospora have occured since June 20, USA Today noted.
The health department of North Carolina reportedly has observed 205 cases as of July 10, according to NBC News.
Illinois has also reported higher than usual cases of cyclospora, with 141 reported cases, the Illinois Department of Public Health told USA Today. NBC News has this figure at 117.
Several cases across many states have led to hospitalization, with the CDC reporting there have been 423 hospitalizations nationwide.
It remains unclear which region of the United States is being impacted by the new outbreak identified by the FDA on July 23, but it remains under investigation.
The CDC’s map, reflecting its July 28 numbers, can be seen here:
Using the CDC’s numbers, these are the numbers of confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis:
- Alabama (1 to 49);
- Alaska (1 to 49);
- Arizona (1 to 49);
- Arkansas (1 to 49);
- California (1 to 49);
- Colorado (1 to 49);
- Connecticut (1 to 49);
- Delaware (1 to 49);
- Florida (50 to 199);
- Georgia (50 to 199);
- Idaho (1 to 49);
- Illinois (200 to 499)’
- Indiana (200 to 499);
- Iowa (1 to 49);
- Kansas (50 to 199);
- Kentucky (50 to 199);
- Louisiana (50 to 199);
- Maryland (1 to 49);
- Massachusetts (1 to 49);
- Michigan (1000 to 4000);
- Minnesota (1 to 49);
- Mississippi (1 to 49);
- Missouri (50 to 199);
- Nebraska (50 to 199);
- Nevada (1 to 49);
- New Hampshire (1 to 49);
- New Jersey (50 to 199);
- New York (200 to 499);
- North Carolina (200 to 499);
- North Dakota (1 to 49);
- Ohio (500 to 999);
- Oklahoma (50 to 199);
- Oregon (1 to 49);
- Pennsylvania (50 to 199);
- Rhode Island (1 to 49);
- South Dakota (1 to 49);
- Tennessee (50 to 199);
- Texas (50 to 199);
- Utah (1 to 49);
- Vermont (1 to 49);
- Virginia (50 to 199);
- Washington (1 to 49);
- West Virginia (1 to 49);
- Wisconsin (1 to 49); and
- Wyoming (1 to 49).
To see the CDC’s latest map, only reflecting confirmed cases from its own investigation, visit the CDC website, here.
This is a developing story.
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