Tens of thousands of Americans have unwillingly had a painful education about Cyclospora over the summer. Cases of cyclosporiasis, the condition caused by the foodborne parasite, have skyrocketed in 2026, with the CDC confirming 17,180 laboratory-confirmed cases across 48 states since May 1, 2026.
Many now have first-hand experience of its symptoms, which include (as per the CDC) watery diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and increased gas. The main driver of the outbreak was ruled to be contaminated processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, which was supplied to multiple restaurants.
