Benton County has had the most cases of cyclosporiasis in Arkansas as the diarrhea-inducing illness continues to spread nationally.
By the numbers: The latest data show that 50 of the 79 Arkansas cases were in Benton County as of Friday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Fewer than 10 cases were in Washington County.
Zoom out: The CDC last week reported 4,173 confirmed cases in the U.S. between May 1 and July 20. That’s already more than the total number of U.S. cases reported for all of 2025.
- Investigations continue to center on contaminated iceberg lettuce as a source for the outbreak.
The big picture: Although some cases of the illness are reported each year, the outbreak will make 2026 the worst year on U.S. record for this foodborne parasitic infection…