'Explosive diarrhoea' cyclospora parasite sparks health warning over certain foods

A diarrhoea-causing parasite outbreak has spread through multiple US states, prompting warnings over contaminated food and water.

Thousands of cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in recent weeks, as per the BBC, wreaking havoc upon people’s stomachs.

For those who are unfamiliar, cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that often spreads from contaminated water or food, causing frequent, watery, and explosive diarrhoea.

People are becoming infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite, with cases spanning across more than a dozen different states.

While no deaths have been reported and the source of the spread is yet to be identified, in Michigan, 1,000 people have been diagnosed in just a two-week period.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring the situation and has shared that it received reports of 145 cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States in people who became sick from May 1, 2026, through June 16, 2026.

Thousands of cases have been reported in recent weeks (Getty Stock Image)

On top of this, 20 people were admitted to the hospital in this time period; however, with it now being mid-July, it’s likely that these aren’t the most up-to-date figures.

State public health departments have been sharing their own figures and reporting increasing numbers of infections.

As per the BBC, officials said that 177 cases have been reported in Ohio, with a further 141 in Illinois.

Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, warned Spectrum Local News that the scale of the outbreak ‘points to a common source’.

He explained: “This speaks to its probably something that is commonly eaten in 29 states.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Maryrose Laguio-Vila, an infectious disease physician at Rochester General Hospital, added that if past outbreaks are anything to go by, the most frequent sources have been ‘pre-mixed salad bags, cilantro, green onions, and vegetable products that are widely distributed’.

Although a source is yet to be confirmed, experts have highlighted that pre-mixed salad bags were previously to blame (Getty Stock Image)

Experts are advising that, since a source is yet to be pinned down, washing fruit and veg thoroughly is important.

She advised: "This parasite can live on the surfaces of particularly raw fruits and vegetables. And so even when we buy it from the grocery stores, it is still good practice to wash thoroughly.”

It comes as Taco Bell has pulled some items from the menu while the spread is being investigated.

The Independent reports that the fast food chain has signs up at certain locations, telling customers that they’re unable to provide some produce items regularly on the menu while health officials investigate the spike in cyclosporiasis cases.

What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?

As per Cleveland Clinic, the main symptom of cyclosporiasis is loud, watery, and explosive diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Bloating, including burping and farting
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Low-grade fever
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting