As of July 20, more than 30 states have reported illnesses, with about 100 hospitalizations to date and no deaths. The true number of infections is likely much higher given that many people recover without seeking medical treatment and that there is lag between when symptoms start and reporting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Public health officials say they are not currently investiagting any Cyclospora outbreaks in Canada.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/berries-baies-cyclospora.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The parasite can stick in the nooks and crannies of berries, food scientists say.<\/p>\n
Photo:\u00a0Shutterstock \/ Frannyanne<\/p>\n
Foods\u00a0imported to Canada\u00a0(new window)<\/a>\u00a0that have been linked to the Cyclospora parasite include:<\/p>\n Basil.Cilantro.Raspberries.Blackberries.Mesclun lettuce.Snow and snap peas.Pre-packaged salad mix.<\/p>\n This is how the current outbreak south of the border unfolded and how Canadian health officials reacted.<\/p>\n May 13, 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u00a0(new window)<\/a>\u00a0(FDA) says this is when the first illnesses from the Cyclospora parasite\u00a0started.<\/p>\n June 30<\/p>\n Michigan\u00a0(new window)<\/a>\u00a0state health officials say as of this date, more than 170 cases have been reported across several counties compared with around 50 cyclosporiasis cases per year typically.\u00a0<\/p>\n July 8<\/p>\n The Public Health Agency of Canada\u00a0says it is not investigating any\u00a0Cyclospora outbreaks in Canada and tells CBCNews the parasite is not commonly found on food and is not in drinking water here.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the spring and summer, there is usually an increase in Cyclospora infections linked to consuming fresh fruit and vegetables imported from other countries, a spokesperson for PHAC said in an email.\u00a0<\/p>\n July 16<\/p>\n The FDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, investigate a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.<\/p>\n WATCH | A food scientist explains Cyclospora:<\/p>\n D\u00e9but du widget . Passer le widget?<\/p>\n Fin du widget . Retour au d\u00e9but du widget?<\/p>\n Illnesses start occurring between May 13, 2026, and July 13, 2026. Michigan analyzes food exposure details from 190 of the cases of people who reported eating at Taco Bell and shared these findings with CDC.<\/p>\n The FDA says its traceback investigation to try to find the source converged on a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations where sick people ate before becoming ill.<\/p>\n