Cyclospora outbreak: Why haven't health officials identified the source yet? Explained
Over 800 domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed across more than 30 US states in 2026.
The parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis has a long incubation period of up to two weeks, delaying outbreak investigations.
Health officials rely on interviews with infected individuals to trace the source, but patients often cannot recall what they ate weeks earlier.
Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce like cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and leafy greens.
Complex food supply chains make it difficult to pinpoint a single contaminated produce item.
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