There’s a kind of parasite, a wave of Cyclospora infections, and it’s starting to raise concerns all across the United States. Reports say cases are popping up in more than 30 states , and health care officers believe the spread may have come from contaminated lettuce that ended up in Taco Bell meals. People are now seeing longer lasting stomach trouble, like the digestive part just doesn’t quit after the first day or two.
Officials say the number of infections has already beat the record from 2019. And unlike typical food poisoning, which often chills out after a few days, a Cyclospora infection can drag on for weeks, specially if it is not treated.
What Is Cyclospora Infection?
Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that settles in the small intestine , and then it interferes with how the body soaks up nutrients. One annoying point is the incubation time, usually about one to two weeks. So symptoms can show up way after you ate the food , which makes tracking the exact source a bit of a headache.
Symptoms Can Last for Weeks
This isn’t your usual brief stomach bug. Cyclospora infection can cause a prolonged illness , and many people report things like
Severe watery diarrhea,
Stomach cramps ,
Bloating and gas
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
And for some folks, the diarrhea can continue for a month or more , plus it may flare again even after it seems like you’re getting better.
Why Is This Parasite Difficult to Control?
Researchers say Cyclospora is complicated to work with because it cannot be grown in lab settings the way many bacteria do. Once it’s in the body, it basically stays in the lining of the small intestine , and it multiplies there.
Then there’s the tough outer shell. Its “eggs” are wrapped in something hard to break, and that outer layer can survive chlorine exposure for weeks. So, regular washing of vegetables might not do as much as people assume.
Diagnosis Remains Difficult as India Also Reports Presence
Doctors also face real trouble with diagnosis. Standard stool tests can miss Cyclospora , and you often need special staining methods instead. Even when the lab is set up for it, confirmation can take roughly four to eight weeks.
Doctors add that usual antibiotics like Metronidazole and Azithromycin don’t work well for this infection. Instead, Co-trimoxazole is typically the recommended approach.
Also, the parasite has been found in India. A 2025 ICMR study from Kolkata reported Cyclospora in about 2% of diarrhea patients, but rates went up to nearly 7% during monsoon season, especially July and August. Kids aged five to twelve were seen as among the most affected group.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Health experts say prevention starts earlier, at the farm level. That means protecting irrigation water from contamination and improving sanitation conditions for farm workers.
For consumers, experts suggest cooking leafy vegetables at around 70°C. They warn that chlorine washing alone might not remove the parasite completely. If you can , choose fresh loose leafy vegetables rather than prewashed salad packs, and keep up solid food hygiene in general, so you reduce the chance of infection.
