Incidence of cyclosporiasis has dipped in Florida with 65 new cases in the latest weekly report.
Lee County had three new cases and Collier had none, according to data from the Florida Department of Health for the week of Aug. 2 -8.
Since May 1 when public health authorities began tracking the outbreak characterized by “explosive diarrhea,” Florida has had a cumulative 407 cases, according to DOH.
Lee’s tally since the beginning of May is 33 and Collier is at 7. The state figures include confirmed and probable cases.
The recent weekly decline in cases in Florida is a first downward movement since the first week of July, shortly after the outbreak gained national momentum and roughly two weeks after public health authorities began tracking clusters in a number of states.
What’s happening in Florida now is not the trend elsewhere.
Nationwide, more than 3,400 cases have been added to a weekly update by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Aug. 11. The illness is in 47 states.
Since May 1, 2026, the CDC says there have been 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the U.S. A week ago the number was 10,468 lab-confirmed cases.
For comparison, 1,180 cases were reported in the U.S. between May 1 and Aug. 31 in 2025.
The CDC added in its latest report that at least 10,455 additional cases of cyclosporiasis may require further investigation and analysis.
There have been a total of 740 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan, which has been the epicenter of the outbreak.
Is lettuce safe yet?
Experts say the lettuce in your grocery store or fast food order is probably safe now.
The largest outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been connected to iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico and distributed by California-based Taylor Farms in nine states. It prompted recalls in mid-July and warnings for consumers who bought certain packaged salad products. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating smaller outbreaks around the country.
Iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms is “likely” no longer available to consumers.
Residents in Michigan, the state hit the hardest by cyclosporiasis, were told on Aug. 6 they can resume routine guidance for consuming lettuce and salad greens, according to the state’s health department.
“The broad, precautionary recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes during the Cyclospora outbreak is no longer in effect,” Michigan authorities said. “Residents may resume their usual food handling practices and make choices based on their individual risk tolerance.”
What is cyclosporiasis and its symptoms?
Cyclosporiasis is an illness from a parasite that causes watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhea and other stomach problems.
It usually spreads from contaminated water or food. Treatment typically includes antibiotics, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The current outbreak in the U.S. began in May and the numbers began climbing in mid-June.
When it comes to symptoms, what most people notice in the first few days is feeling generally unwell with fatigue, and low appetite, according to Dr. Tyler Evans, founder and chief executive officer of Wellness Equity Alliance based in California. He previously was chief medical officer for New York City.
“It reads like the beginning of a stomach bug,” Evans said. “That is exactly why it gets missed. The diarrhea follows, and by then people have often written off the illness as something that will resolve on its own.”
Other symptoms are nausea, sometimes a low-grade fever and mild abdominal cramping, Evans said.
The most dangerous feature is the duration, he said.
Untreated, cyclosporiasis can persist for weeks, and the diarrhea is often watery and relapsing. The danger is cumulative with dehydration, electrolyte loss, and weight loss over time, he said.
“In an otherwise healthy adult, that is miserable but survivable,” Evans said. “In an infant, an older adult, someone immunocompromised, or someone without reliable access to fluids and care, prolonged watery diarrhea is genuinely dangerous.”
More on symptoms
Not all people infected with cyclosporiasis show symptoms, but in addition to diarrhea, it commonly causes:
Less common symptoms include vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.
The time between infection and becoming sick is typically about a week but can be as short as two days or as long as two weeks. If left untreated, the illness can last over a month, and symptoms can clear before returning one or more times.
What’s the treatment for cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim, according to the CDC.
“If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, talk to your health care provider about other potential options,” the agency said. “Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is also important for those experiencing diarrhea.”
USA Today contributed to this report.
Liz Freeman is a health care reporter. Reach her by emailing lfreeman@naplesnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cyclosporiasis cases fall in Naples and Fort Myers, same statewide
Reporting by Liz Freeman, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liz Freeman, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
