RALEIGH — There are 149 newly reported cases of cyclosporiasis since July 28, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
[ READ MORE: 2 deaths linked to illness in Michigan ]
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
Mecklenburg County Public Health officials said the county is currently at 44 confirmed cases.
There has been no increase in the number of hospitalizations, which stands at four people.
Twenty of those confirmed cases are people who traveled internationally and got infected after eating something contaminated, said Kimberly Scott, Mecklenburg County interim health director.
Thirteen of those cases are people who traveled domestically.
Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe asked Dr. Scott what about the people who have gotten sick, but did not travel anywhere.
“We have not been able to confirm a source just yet, but trends we’re seeing across the state include parsley and cilantro as being commonly identified foods that are being eaten at higher volumes from those persons who might have been impacted,” Scott said.
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.