Cyclosporiasis in Florida: What's Actually Going On, and What to Watch For

You may have seen headlines this week about a parasite outbreak spreading across Florida and several other states. Here's what's actually happening, what the symptoms look like, and when it's time to see a doctor.

What Is Cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It's a seasonal illness, with outbreak season running from May through August every year, and 2026 is seeing a larger than usual spike.

As of early July, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed roughly 50 cases statewide since the season began in May. Nationally, the CDC has tracked cases across close to 20 states, with the heaviest clusters reported in Michigan, New York, Illinois, and Texas.

How Do People Get It?

Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, most commonly linked in past outbreaks to fresh produce like bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and scallions. It is not spread person to person, so you can't catch it from someone who's sick the way you would a cold or flu.

One tricky detail: after the parasite passes in a bowel movement, it needs one to two weeks outside the body before it can even become infectious. That's part of why outbreaks can be hard to trace back to a single source.

Symptoms to Watch For

Health officials describe the illness as unpleasant but, for most healthy people, not dangerous. Common symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea, sometimes described as explosive
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Fatigue and general malaise

Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to over a month if untreated, and they sometimes seem to improve before coming back, a pattern doctors refer to as relapse.

Who's Most at Risk

Cases so far have ranged from age 5 to 86, so this isn't limited to any one age group. People who are immunocompromised or in generally poor health may experience more prolonged or severe symptoms. People living in or traveling to tropical and subtropical regions, where the parasite is more common year round, also face higher exposure risk.

When to See a Doctor

If you're experiencing watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, especially alongside cramping, nausea, or fatigue that doesn't improve, it's worth getting checked out. Diagnosis requires a stool sample, and because the parasite doesn't always show up on the first test, doctors sometimes need to check more than one sample to confirm it. The good news is that it's treatable, and most people recover fully with proper care.

How to Lower Your Risk

A few simple habits go a long way during outbreak season:

• Wash all produce thoroughly under running water, even if you plan to peel it
• Scrub firm produce like melons and cucumbers with a produce brush
• Cut away any bruised or damaged parts of fruits and vegetables before eating
• Refrigerate cut or prepped produce within two hours
• Be cautious with untreated water while traveling, hiking, or camping

Notably, health officials point out that simply rinsing produce isn't guaranteed to remove the parasite entirely, so these habits reduce risk rather than eliminate it completely.

A Note on General Gut Health

Outbreaks like this are a good reminder that gut health is worth paying attention to year round, not just when something's actively going around. If you've been dealing with ongoing bloating, sluggish digestion, or just want to support your gut as part of a regular wellness routine, Feel the Heal offers colon hydrotherapy and gut health protocols in Miami, including our Take A Hike Parasite Protocol for general digestive wellness support.

To be clear, that's a separate thing from diagnosing or treating cyclosporiasis specifically, which requires medical testing and treatment from a healthcare provider. If you think you may have it, please see a doctor rather than relying on a supplement or cleanse.

This article is for general informational purposes and isn't intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you're experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis or any persistent illness, please consult a healthcare provider.