SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in Utah, part of an outbreak that has impacted over 850 people around the nation.
As of Friday morning, 1-10 cases of the outbreak were reported in Utah. At least 31 states have reported additional cases, with 86 hospitalizations.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. According to the CDC, people can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Experts say it is not usually life-threatening, but it can cause ‘explosive’ diarrhea.
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People impacted may or may not experience symptoms, as the parasite usually impacts the small intestine and usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to over a month. People can be impacted more than once with the disease.
Since May 1, CDC has received reports of 843 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 1,500 cases that require further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.
So far this year, multiple states have reported an increase in cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025.
Nationwide outbreak
Nearly 1,000 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with the infection. It appears to be the most impacted state in the nation. Lucas County, Ohio has reported 306 cases as of Wednesday, and northwest Ohio has seen more than 500 cases.
Who is at risk?
People may be at an increased risk for infection when living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world where cyclosporiasis is endemic. In the US, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce…