HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital says it is seeing an increase in emergency room patients concerned about cyclosporiasis as cases continue to rise across Florida.
"HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is seeing an increase in patients in our emergency rooms with concerns of cyclosporiasis caused by the parasite cyclospora," the hospital said in a press release sent Thursday, July 23.
The hospital said it is testing patients for the intestinal illness, which is typically linked to contaminated fresh produce. Cases of cyclosporiasis in Florida are up to 158 since May 1, according to the latest update from the state health department ending July 18.
2 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in Sarasota County
The Florida Department of Health has reported two confirmed cases in Sarasota County, while nationwide
infections have climbed into the thousands during an ongoing outbreak under investigation.
Infections caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora and known to cause severe diarrhea have been reported in 36 counties across Florida. Miami-Dade County has the most, with 33, up 16 from the week before, according to Florida Department of Health data. Sixteen cases were reported in Lee County, and Broward shows 13.
Cases were reported for the first time in Hernando, Leon, Martin, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Wakulla, and Walton counties, FDOH data showed.
Across the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a July 20 update that cases have surged to nearly 4.200 in more than 41 states since May. More than 7,400 additional cases have been reported, mostly in Michigan and Ohio, but they have not yet been confirmed by laboratories, the CDC said.
There have been 308 hospitalizations and no deaths reported during the time period, the CDC said.
The actual number in Florida and nationwide may be much higher. The CDC's case numbers can lag behind those cited by state health officials, due to tracking, verification and reporting processes, and many people may have treated their condition at home and not reported it, the agency said.
The latest CDC update lists Florida's cases as between "31 to 80."
Florida's health department officials have not confirmed whether the state's cyclosporiasis cases, which are not uncommon, are linked to the current outbreak. The FDOH has reported an average of 246 cases of cyclosporiasis every year from 2015 through 2025, with a notable rise in cases in the last few years.
“We tend to see more cases during the warmer months because this is when fresh produce consumption increases and many of the fruits and vegetables associated with Cyclospora are widely available,” said Dr. Kami Kim, Andor Szentivanyi Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
Florida's warm climate and year-round access to fresh produce make it especially vulnerable, USF Health said, with a seasonal rise in cyclosporiasis during late spring and summer.
There were 210 cases reported last year, and 222 cases in 2024, data show. Cases surged over 500 in both 2019 and 2022.
Who is getting cyclospora infections in Florida?
Florida's 158 victims of cyclospora infections are all ages from the 15-19 age range and up, FDOH data showed, including one person 85 years of age or older.
Of those cases, 96 were acquired in Florida, five were acquired in another state, and 28 were acquired outside the country. The source of 18 of the cases was unknown.
Is there a cyclosporiasis outbreak in Florida?
As of July 18, the Florida Department of Health has reported 158 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1. The totals are below, with the number added since the previous week's report.
- Alachua County: 3 (+1)
- Brevard County: 3 (+2)
- Broward County: 13 (+6)
- Collier County: 2
- Columbia County: 1
- Duval County: 4
- Escambia County: 1
- Flagler County: 2
- Gadsden County: 1
- Hernando County: 1 (+1)
- Highlands County: 2
- Hillsborough County: 4 (+1)
- Lake County: 4 (+1)
- Lee County: 16 (+2)
- Leon County: 1 (+1)
- Manatee County: 2 (+1)
- Marion County: 2 (+2)
- Martin County: 1 (+1)
- Miami-Dade County: 33 (+16)
- Monroe County: 1
- Okaloosa County: 3 (+1)
- Orange County: 6 (+3)
- Osceola County: 7 (+3)
- Palm Beach County: 6 (+4)
- Pasco County: 3 (+2)
- Pinellas County: 6 (+3)
- Polk County: 6 (+2)
- Santa Rosa County: 2 (+2)
- Sarasota County: 2 (+2)
- Seminole County: 5
- St. Johns County: 4 (+1)
- St. Lucie County: 2
- Sumter County: 2
- Volusia County: 5 (+3)
- Wakulla County: 1 (+1)
- Walton County: 1 (+1)
Where is the cyclospora outbreak coming from?
Investigations by the Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, and state health officials have linked the outbreak to California produce supplier Taylor Farms, which issued a voluntary recall on July 17 of iceberg lettuce products from Taylor Farms de Mexico. That lettuce was sold, in part, to Taco Bell locations in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
On July 18, the FDA said a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sample that was not part of the lettuce recalled by the company had tested positive for cyclospora. The next day, the FDA said that after being reviewed again, the test was found to be a false positive match. But the agency said in a July 20 X post that the "overwhelming epidemiological data" still pointed to Taylor Farms as the source.
The lettuce recalled was sold in retail stores, served in restaurants, and distributed to food service customers. Taco Bell removed all Taylor Farms lettuce at select restaurants, and Walmart pulled some bags of Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad and Shredded Iceberg Salads, distributed by Taylor Farms. The lettuce had been sold in stores in 27 states.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may vary, according to the CDC, but watery diarrhea is the most common. Others include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Others may show no symptoms at all.
Symptoms can begin to show from two days to two weeks or more after infection, the CDC said. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
“While most people won't become ill, it's important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical care if diarrhea is severe or persists," Dr. Kim said.
How to avoid cyclospora
The single best way to avoid the illness is to not eat food connected with it, the CDC said. That means avoiding foods linked to outbreaks, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking, even if it is labeled pre-washed.
Firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
However, since washing alone may not be enough to remove the parasite, the CDC recommends cooking produce to a temperature of at least 158 degrees.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota hospital sees rise in explosive diarrhea illness concerns
