The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stopped monitoring the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis in 2025, according to agency records. This parasite causes cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness characterized by explosive, watery diarrhea, and has been linked to multiple outbreaks in 2026.
As of July 2026, at least 1,200 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across 15 states, including Texas, Florida, and New York, per state health departments. The CDC's decision to end surveillance was part of a broader restructuring of its foodborne illness tracking programs, citing budget constraints.
Cyclospora is typically transmitted through contaminated fresh produce, such as imported berries, basil, and lettuce. Without federal monitoring, local health officials say they are struggling to identify and contain outbreaks quickly. The CDC has not commented on whether it will resume tracking.
