South Texas health officials have confirmed that cases of a parasitic intestinal illness that can cause explosive diarrhea have seen a “significant increase,” with the highest number of reported cases occurring in Nueces County. But thus far, health officials have yet to narrow down the culprit behind the long-simmering illness.
“According to provisional data, Nueces County has confirmed 20 cases of cyclosporiasis from January through July 2026, marking an increase of more than four times the total reported cases in 2025,” Corpus Christi officials said in a statement late Monday, July 13.
Since May, cyclosporiasis has been increasing in dozens of states across the country. As of July 9, some 843 cases have been reported in 31 states, leading to the hospitalization of 86 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hardest-hit states have been Michigan, which has reported between 161 and 300 cases, and New York, which has reported between 81 and 160 cases.
Texas is among the five states with the next-highest number of cases, between 31 and 80, according to a CDC map showing cases since May 1. At least 15 people have been hospitalized in Texas as a result of the illness, according to USA Today. However, nationwide, no deaths have been reported…