A national outbreak of a foodborne parasite known to cause \u201cexplosive diarrhea\u201d seems to have largely bypassed California, officials said.<\/p>\n
However, health experts warned that statistics on the Cyclospora outbreak may be misleading.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe there\u2019s really an undercounting of the number of cases because not all cases are being tested,\u201d said Dr. Dean Blumberg with UC Davis Health<\/p>\n
Outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the parasite<\/a>, have taken place in four Midwest states, with smaller outbreaks elsewhere, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.<\/p>\n More than 400 cases have been confirmed in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, the CDC said.<\/p>\n \u201cA specific food item has not yet been confirmed as the source,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 3,700 cases<\/a> in the state as of Wednesday, July 15.<\/p>\n The department said leafy greens, such as lettuce, may be responsible for the outbreak there.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, other food items cannot be completely ruled out,\u201d the agency said. \u201cNo specific type of produce, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source.\u201d<\/p>\n Taco Bell has voluntarily stopped offering some ingredients<\/a> at select restaurants in response to the outbreak, ABC News reported.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know:<\/p>\n Has the outbreak reached California?<\/p>\n The California Department of Public Health said cyclosporiasis cases in California<\/a> remain within normal limits.<\/p>\n In fact, the number of reported cases in the state in 2026 is lower than at this time in 2025, the agency said.<\/p>\n From January to June, California has reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis, compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025, the department said.<\/p>\n Typically, the state sees about 106 cases annually.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aware of the outbreaks affecting other states, however, and are closely monitoring for any signs of local acquired infection,\u201d said Dr. Erica Pan, department director and state public health officer. \u201cWe encourage Californians to protect themselves and their families by practicing safe food handling and thoroughly washing produce.\u201d<\/p>\n What is Cyclospora?<\/p>\n