OK I keep seeing people refer to the Michigan parasite outbreak and then others will chime in “it’s in my state too!” so to clarify this for everyone it is a NATIONWIDE outbreak reported in 31 US states as of today, July 12th 2026. There is no reason to assume it is not present in the rest of them
NBC News’ tally shows at least 26 states have reported cases of the parasitic stomach illness, as health authorities race to find the source
@gr8pinkplanet it has not been confirmed that its produce originating in the USA, it could also be produce imported to the USA. So far no cases have been reported in Canada however
In the past, cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to salad greens, raspberries, basil, cilantro, green onions and snow peas, and the Michigan Department of Health urged taking extra precautions when preparing these foods.
State health authorities offered a few more tips to prevent the spread of cyclospora:
Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw produce.
Thoroughly wash all fresh produce under running water before eating it. Do not use dish soap.
Scrub fruits and vegetables with a produce brush.
Remove the outer layer of produce when possible (such as with lettuce heads, green onions, etc.).
Separate fresh basil and cilantro and run them under running water before eating.
Cut away any damaged areas on fresh produce before eating.
Refrigerate fruits and vegetables (cooked or fresh) within two hours of preparing it.
Food safety experts told NBC News that, at this stage, there is no reason to stop eating fresh fruits and vegetables due to the recent rise in cases, as doing so is a crucial part of a healthy diet.
