NORTH CAROLINA — There are 149 newly reported cases of cyclosporiasis since July 28, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
The infection is caused by a parasite known as Cyclospora, according to NCDHHS. People can become ill after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Previous outbreaks have been connected to fresh produce, including lettuce, fruit and fresh herbs.
North Carolina has more than doubled the number of cases in each of the past two years, and it’s just over halfway through 2026.
Cases of cyclosporiasis are growing, but the outbreak has slowed significantly in North Carolina. Cases have dropped in the past three weeks.
The state reported nine more people went to the hospital in the past week: 33 total this year.
Nearly 60% of the cases are in Raleigh and Wake County.
The most common symptom is frequent diarrhea, but people may also experience stomach cramps, bloating, gas, weight loss and nausea.
Mecklenburg County
Since July 13, Interim Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Kimberly Scott says the county increased from 18 to 44 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases.
“There could be other people out there that don’t know, or they could have had symptoms that were mild that they managed at home,” Scott said.
Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe spoke with Scott, who says a majority of the local cases have been linked to travel.
“About 20 of those cases are linked to international travel and about 13 have been linked to domestic travel,” said Scott. “We haven’t been able to identify and pinpoint a single source for those few cases in Mecklenburg County that are not linked to travel.”
But state epidemiologists are beginning to notice an important trend on people in North Carolina who are getting infected.
“For our most recent cases, our experts at the state have confirmed that cilantro and parsley are the most commonly identified foods,” Scott said.
Figuring out where the parasite is coming from should not be confused with how health officials tracked COVID-19.
“It’s not contact tracing because cyclosporiasis is not spread from person to person,” said Scott.
She says this outbreak requires more of an investigation of what a specific patient has consumed or been exposed to in recent days and weeks.
“To understand what food they ate, and the source of it to essentially get a diary,” Scott said.
According to the state’s cyclosporiasis dashboard, 61% of the 867 cases in North Carolina are in people aged 19 to 54. Senior citizens have the next highest percentage of cases.
Mecklenburg County is far ahead in case count compared to the rest of our region.
Other counties
- 7 cases in Union County
- 5 in Cabarrus County
- Burke, Stanly, Iredell, and Watauga counties each have 3
- 2 cases each in Lincoln, Catawba, and Caldwell counties
- Gaston, Cleveland, and Rowan each have 1
South Carolina
South Carolina has tracked 43 total cases of the parasite so far.
There were 37 new cases in July.
Health officials reported 34 cases in Mecklenburg County.
Meanwhile, two people have died after becoming ill with cyclosporiasis.
Both deaths were in Michigan. The patients had underlying health conditions, including dehydration.
There are more than 4,000 cases in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating another 7,400 possible cases.
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