{"id":364528,"date":"2026-08-06T18:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/364528\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:10:08","slug":"florida-averaging-over-50-cases-a-week-linked-to-diarrhea-causing-parasite-since-start-of-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/364528\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida averaging over 50 cases a week linked to diarrhea-causing parasite since start of summer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">The latest data on reported cyclosporiasis cases released by the Florida Department of Health on Thursday show the state has averaged about 53 cases per week since the start of summer in late June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/han\/php\/notices\/han00531.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/han\/php\/notices\/han00531.html\">According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>, increased numbers of cyclosporiasis cases during the spring and summer are fairly typical. The CDC considers May 1-Aug. 31 the annual cyclosporiasis \u201cseason.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">But the current nationwide outbreak means Florida\u2019s cases are up about 34% from the same time last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Through July and early August of 2025, Florida reported 99 cases of cyclosporiasis statewide. In the same period this year, 321 cases have been reported statewide, increasing the summer average by about 40%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">The diarrhea-causing parasite has now spread to 42 counties in Florida, with reported illnesses spiking by more than 180 cases in just the last two weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">The Cyclospora parasite causes extreme diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite, according to the CDC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flhealthcharts.gov\/ChartsReports\/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=FrequencyMerlin.Frequency&amp;FirstTime=True\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.flhealthcharts.gov\/ChartsReports\/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=FrequencyMerlin.Frequency&amp;FirstTime=True\">Florida Department of Health\u2019s Reportable Diseases Frequency Report<\/a> showed 167 cases from Jan. 1 to July 18, but one week later, that number jumped to 264 on July 25, and spiked again to 352 by Aug. 1, the last date that data is available.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">By this time last year, the state had only reported 119 cases total.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">This year\u2019s cases include 27 in Northeast Florida counties:<\/p>\n<p>St. Johns: 9<\/p>\n<p>Duval: 8<\/p>\n<p>Alachua: 4<\/p>\n<p>Flagler: 3<\/p>\n<p>Nassau: 1<\/p>\n<p>Baker: 1<\/p>\n<p>Columbia: 1<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Other counties outside Northeast Florida with cases include: Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Escambia, Gadsden, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia, Wakulla and Walton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">In most scenarios, people who get cyclosporiasis will recover on their own. But in some cases, people can have persistent symptoms and relapsing infections over time, so any suspected cases should be tested, officials urge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Once a case is confirmed through testing, a report is sent to the state department of health. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Direct human-to-human transmission is rare, officials say, but if infected, people could shed the parasite into the environment, where it could become infectious again within a week or two, contributing to another outbreak. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">The outbreak was first reported in Michigan on July 1, with other outbreaks later reported in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, according to the CDC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">While all 50 states have now reported cases, the source of the outbreak is still unknown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cyclosporiasis\/php\/surveillance\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cyclosporiasis\/php\/surveillance\/index.html\">But the CDC is investigating multiple clusters<\/a> of Cyclospora cases, including one multistate outbreak now affecting 15 states linked to iceberg lettuce.<\/p>\n<p>Signs, symptoms, and treatment<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Cyclosporiasis has a one-week incubation period, meaning symptoms do not appear immediately after eating contaminated food. Watch for:<\/p>\n<p>Explosive diarrhea<\/p>\n<p>Abdominal bloating and cramping<\/p>\n<p>Low-grade fever<\/p>\n<p>Fatigue<\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Without treatment, symptoms can come and go. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">If you think you have cyclosporiasis, see your doctor and ask to be tested. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Box-_wrDxHtU__Box-sc-10sa3ie-0 Text-nO2aZ44r__TextBase-sc-s2hv5x-0 jJNfBD fSvavs article-text\">Again, cases are expected to continue through the end of August. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/outbreaks-foodborne-illness\/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/outbreaks-foodborne-illness\/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks\">FDA<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cyclosporiasis\/outbreaks\/07-26\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cyclosporiasis\/outbreaks\/07-26\/index.html\">CDC<\/a> for the latest warnings on affected produce and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a92026 The News Service of Florida and WJXT. All rights reserved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The latest data on reported cyclosporiasis cases released by the Florida Department of Health on Thursday show the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":364529,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[140490,135480,28,30,29,571,61569],"class_list":["post-364528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-florida","tag-cyclospora","tag-cyclosporiasis","tag-florida","tag-florida-headlines","tag-florida-news","tag-health","tag-healthier-tomorrow"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=364528"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364528\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/364529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=364528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=364528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=364528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}