Missouri Cyclosporiasis Cases Double in One Week, Surpassing 1,000

Kansas City, MO, August 3, 2026 —

The number of confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in Missouri has seen a significant increase, doubling within a single week to exceed 1,000 as of August 2nd. This surge has prompted state health officials to closely monitor the situation and its potential causes.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified shredded lettuce imported from Mexico as the likely source of outbreaks in several other states, current investigations in Missouri suggest that the cases within the state are being treated as separate clusters. The specific source or sources of the Missouri outbreaks have not yet been identified.

State health authorities anticipate that Missouri will soon be officially added to the CDC’s national map detailing cyclosporiasis outbreaks. Officials also expect the number of reported cases to continue its upward trend. This projected rise is attributed to a combination of increased public and healthcare provider awareness of the illness and the ongoing daily reporting of new infections.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping, bloating, and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting, and fever can also occur. The infection is usually contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. It is often treated with a specific course of antibiotics.

Story summarized from the original created by Heidi Schmidt on www.kctv5.com, see more information here.