Cyclospora Cases Rise in Missouri and Kansas Amid School Reopening
Cases of the Cyclospora parasite have surged in Missouri and Kansas as students return to school.
Kansas City, MO, August 17, 2026 —
Officials in Missouri and Kansas are reporting a significant increase in cases of the Cyclospora parasite, coinciding with the return of students to educational institutions across both states.
The exact number of cases and the specific timeline of the surge were not immediately available, but health departments in both states have acknowledged the rise in infections. Cyclospora is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. It is typically spread through contaminated food or water.
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection often include diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements, according to health advisories. Other common symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. In some cases, vomiting can also occur.
The timing of this increase in reported cases, as students are back in school environments, has prompted health officials to investigate potential links. The mode of transmission in the current cluster is still under investigation. Public health agencies are monitoring the situation closely and are working to identify the source of the infections.
As a preventive measure, health authorities typically advise individuals to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom and before preparing or eating food. Thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before consumption is also recommended, especially for produce that will be eaten raw. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the parasite is only known to infect humans and that it is not typically spread directly from person to person.
Further information regarding the scope of the outbreak, including specific numbers of infected individuals and any identified commonalities or sources, is expected to be released by state health departments as investigations progress.
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