As the nationwide outbreak continues to climb, Los Angeles public health officials have released new local data.
Los Angeles County health officials are urging residents to take preventive measures against foodborne illness as a massive, multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis sweeps across the country.
While local health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, no cases linked to the nationwide outbreak have been identified in Los Angeles County or in California. According to the California Department of Public Health, local case counts remain well within normal historical limits.
California recorded 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis between January and June of this year, representing a significant decline from the 80 cases reported during the same period in 2025. The state’s annual average over the past decade sits at 106 cases.
Nationally, the outbreak has escalated dramatically. Federal data shows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tracked 1,645 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired cases across 34 states. This figure represents a nearly sevenfold increase compared to the 249 cases reported nationally by this time last year. 5,100 suspected cases have yet to be confirmed.
Michigan, New York, and North Carolina have emerged as the hardest-hit regions. Investigators in Michigan, which has alone reported more than 2,600 infections, are currently focusing on packaged lettuce and salad greens as the primary suspect. No definitive, common food source has been officially identified by federal regulators.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Individuals typically contract the illness by consuming contaminated fresh produce or water, rather than through person-to-person contact.
Symptoms, which generally manifest about a week after exposure, include watery diarrhea, severe fatigue, stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea. Local health officials advise anyone experiencing prolonged symptoms after eating fresh vegetables or traveling to seek immediate medical attention.
Even though the outbreak hasn’t come to Los Angeles yet, it is still advisable to take precautions to avoid the parasite, which can cause an infection that can take weeks to clear up and which is quite unpleasant. NBC News quoted a woman who had the infection, and Kelly Leahy of Charlotte, North Carolina, said she tested positive for cyclosporiasis on Monday after two weeks of illness, which left her dehydrated and lightheaded. “Buckle in,” she said. “It’s not a 24-hour bug.”
The California Department of Public Health has issued a list of precautions to be taken to avoid infection with
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Scrub firm produce (like melons and cucumbers) with a clean produce brush.
- Remove and discard outer leaves from lettuce and leafy greens.
- For vulnerable populations (older adults, young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals), cook vegetables and herbs whenever practical.
- Prevent cross-contamination: Use clean cutting boards, utensils, and food-contact surfaces. Keep ready-to-eat foods separate from raw produce during preparation.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).
- Avoid food or water that may be contaminated by human feces, especially when traveling to countries where tap water or food may be unsafe.
- Most foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to imported fresh produce, including raspberries, cilantro, basil, snow peas, and mixed salad. While washing produce is important, it may not completely remove Cyclospora, so cooking is recommended when possible.
