Cyclosporiasis Cases Surge to 55 in Kansas as CDC Investigates Nationwide Outbreaks
Key Insights
Kansas health officials report 55 total cyclosporiasis (search) cases in 2026, more than doubling from 22 cases reported just one week prior, with 37 classified as domestically acquired.
The CDC has recorded over 1,600 confirmed domestic cases across 34 states, with 141 hospitalizations and zero deaths, while more than 5,100 additional cases await confirmation.
Cyclosporiasis (search) is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis (search), spreads through contaminated fresh produce, and does not transmit from person to person.
Kansas health officials are reporting a sharp increase in cyclosporiasis (search) cases, with the total count reaching 55 as of mid-July 2026 — more than double the 22 cases recorded just one week earlier. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (search) (KDHE) confirmed that 37 of these cases are classified as domestically acquired, while 17 were likely acquired during international travel. In one case, investigators could not definitively determine the origin of infection.
The surge has been particularly pronounced since late June, with 30 domestically acquired cases reported since June 24 alone. Johnson County leads the state with 25 confirmed cases, followed by Shawnee County with eight and Sedgwick County with five. Multiple other counties, including Barton, Butler, Cherokee, Crawford, Douglas, Ellis, Leavenworth, Lyon, Marshall, Osage, Reno, and Wyandotte, have each reported between one and five cases.
National Picture Reflects Broader Outbreak
The Kansas outbreak is part of a larger national trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (search) (CDC) has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis (search) since May 1, 2026, spanning 34 states. Among these confirmed cases, 141 individuals required hospitalization, though no deaths have been reported. The CDC is also aware of more than 5,100 additional cases that require further investigation to confirm whether they were domestically acquired.
"Outbreaks of cyclosporiasis (search) have been occurring across the United States in 2026," the KDHE stated, while noting that Kansas cases have not yet been connected to outbreaks in other states. Multiple states have reported increases compared to the same period in 2025. For context, Kansas had reported only 23 cases through July 15 in 2025, compared to 55 this year. Annual case counts in Kansas have varied widely, ranging from 24 in 2022 to 69 in 2021, with an average of 43.5 cases per year between 2020 and 2025.
Disease Characteristics and Transmission
Cyclosporiasis (search) is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis (search), which is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with feces and is not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Fever and vomiting are less common.
"If untreated, the illness may last for a few days to a month or longer," according to the KDHE. Symptoms can be improved with antibiotic treatment prescribed by a healthcare provider.
The parasite is most commonly associated with fresh produce. In recent years, outbreaks in the United States have been linked to contaminated items such as green onions, lettuce, salad mixes, snow peas, raspberries, cilantro, and basil. While health officials have yet to identify the specific produce item responsible for the current outbreaks, the Michigan Health Department has pointed to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source. Some restaurants, including Taco Bell (search), have proactively removed certain items from their menus as a precautionary measure.
Prevention and Public Health Response
The CDC recommends several precautions to reduce the risk of infection. Consumers should wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before cutting, eating, or cooking. Firm produce such as melons and cucumbers should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush, and any damaged or bruised areas should be cut away. Cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated as quickly as possible.
However, health officials caution that washing alone may not eliminate all risk. "There is no way to ensure all Cyclospora parasites have been washed away from food, and consumers will not completely eliminate their risk of infection by washing produce due to the way the parasite can 'stick' to foods," the KDHE noted.
For those at higher risk — including patients on chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, infants and young children, and the elderly — the safest options are cooking fresh produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius), which may inactivate the parasite, or avoiding fresh produce altogether during periods of increased cyclosporiasis (search) activity.
The KDHE continues to work with local health departments to interview affected individuals and identify common exposures. Individuals diagnosed with cyclosporiasis (search) are encouraged to cooperate with health department investigators to help pinpoint the source. Under Kansas Administrative Regulation, healthcare providers are required to report cyclosporiasis cases to the KDHE or local health departments within 24 hours or the next business day.