LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Lee County has reported more cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite than any other county in Florida this year, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health.
The state has logged 60 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis from the start of the year through July 4, 2026.
Lee County accounts for 11 of those cases, the highest total among Florida counties.
Miami-Dade County follows with nine reported cases, while Broward County has reported five cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Cases by county as of July 4, 2026
Lee County: 11 casesMiami-Dade County: 9 casesBroward County: 5 casesOrange County: 4 casesCollier County: 2 casesHillsborough County: 2 casesLake County: 2 casesOsceola County: 2 casesPalm Beach County: 2 casesPolk County: 2 casesSeminole County: 2 casesSt. Johns County: 2 casesSumter County: 2 casesVolusia County: 2 casesAlachua County: 1 caseBay County: 1 caseBrevard County: 1 caseColumbia County: 1 caseDuval County: 1 caseEscambia County: 1 caseFlagler County: 1 caseGadsden County: 1 casePasco County: 1 casePinellas County: 1 case
Florida is among 17 states reporting cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The parasite can spread when people consume food or water contaminated with the parasite and can lead to prolonged watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
RELATED: CDC warns feces-contaminated food and water driving cyclosporiasis spread
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationally 145 confirmed cases of the cyclospora infections have been recorded through June 16.
However, that number could be much higher as in Michigan alone, health officials said nearly 1,000 people there were recently diagnosed.
No deaths have been reported and the source of the cyclospora infections hasn’t been identified, according to the CDC.
You can find more information on the illness and its impact here.