The New York State Department of Health has reported an additional 24 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis between Aug. 31 and Sept. 8 in its weekly case tracking update.
The New York State Department of Health has been posting weekly updates on confirmed cyclosporiasis cases every Wednesday through the end of September.
State officials have previously said New York typically reports about 500 to 700 cyclosporiasis cases each year, with similar totals reported in 2024 and 2025. The 2026 total has now surpassed 1,000 cases and is roughly double the annual totals reported in each of the previous two years.
Here is what to know about the Sept. 9 update.
NY confirmed cyclosporiasis cases update
As of Sept. 9, the state department has reported 1,042 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in NY from
May 1 through Sept. 8, and 1,076 confirmed cases between Jan. 1 and Sept. 8.
These numbers show an increase of 24 cases since last week, when the state had reported a total of 1,018 cases from May 1 through Aug. 31, and 1,052 cases from Jan. 1 through Aug. 31.
The Aug. 26 update reported 980 cases from May 1 through Aug. 21, and 1,014 cases from Jan. 1 through Aug. 24.
The Aug. 19 update reported 939 cases from May 1 through Aug. 17 and 973 cases from Jan. 1 through Aug. 17.
The Aug. 12 update reported 898 cases from May 1 through Aug. 10 and 932 cases from Jan. 1 through Aug. 10.
The Aug. 5 update reported 833 cases from May 1 through Aug. 3 and 867 cases from Jan. 1 through Aug. 3.
The latest figures represent an increase of 209 cases since Aug. 5.
Cyclosporiasis cases reported nationwide
As of Sept. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 19,595 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States between May 1 and Sept. 8, along with at least 6,149 additional cases that may require further investigation and analysis.
The CDC also stated that it is aware of 9,355 laboratory-confirmed cases that require further investigation to determine if they were acquired within the United States or during travel.
According to the CDC, 1,180 cyclosporiasis cases were reported nationwide between May 1, 2025, and Aug. 31, 2025.
Federal health officials are investigating multiple Cyclospora outbreaks, including a multistate outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms. The CDC said the outbreak has "contributed significantly" to the increase in cyclosporiasis cases across the country.
New York is not among the states identified in that outbreak.
The CDC stated that the U.S. cyclosporiasis season is May 1 through August 31, but that they will continue to report and investigate cases beyond this time frame, as it takes about six weeks for the CDC to receive reports of new cases.
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. In the United States, outbreaks have often been linked to fresh produce, including cilantro, basil, salad mixes, snow peas and raspberries.
Unlike many gastrointestinal illnesses, cyclosporiasis is not usually spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms can include:
- Frequent "explosive diarrhea"
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Muscle aches
Symptoms typically begin about a week after exposure but can take up to two weeks to develop. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or longer.
How to reduce your risk
Health officials recommend the following steps when handling fresh produce:
- Wash your hands before and after handling fruits and vegetables.
- Clean and sanitize cutting boards, knives and food preparation surfaces.
- Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Remove bruised or damaged areas of produce.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables promptly.
- Cook food when possible, as heat can kill the parasite.
When to seek medical care
Cyclosporiasis is usually not life-threatening, but severe diarrhea can cause dehydration, particularly among older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems.
Anyone experiencing persistent diarrhea, signs of dehydration, severe abdominal pain or symptoms lasting more than several days should contact a health care provider.
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York State. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Cyclosporiasis cases keep rising in NY. Here's the latest case count
