SC folks can avoid the diarrhea causing parasite spreading in the US by not eating these foods

Across the country, cases of a severe gastrointestinal illness are rapidly increasing, fueling panic about what’s safe to eat amid the parasitic outbreak.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, and people can become infected with the illness by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is notifying public health practitioners and laboratorians of domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis across multiple states.

Since May 1, 2026, there have been over 1,640 reports of confirmed cases of the illness in the U.S., and the CDC has more than 5,000 cases to review before it can confirm it’s cyclosporiasis.

Compared to last year, this is an explosive jump in cases. There were only 249 cases reported nationally by this same time last year.

There have been a little over a dozen cases of cyclosporiasis in South Carolina this year, but they are currently unconnected to the ongoing multi-state outbreak in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.

Cyclosporiasis symptoms

Cyclosporiasis is generally not life-threatening, but some people can become very ill and require hospitalization. No one has died from this current outbreak. Out of the 1,646 lab-confirmed cases, 141 (9%) were hospitalized.

Symptoms usually start after one week of exposure to Cyclospora. The most common symptoms include watery diarrhea, which can be frequent, along with loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue, according to the CDC.

Less common symptoms include low-grade fever and vomiting. Without treatment, symptoms can follow a remitting-relapsing course that can last from a few days to a month or longer.

Is it safe to eat fresh produce?

There has not been a specific food item that is linked to the outbreak, but previous cases have been commonly tied to the consumption of imported fresh produce, such as lettuce and berries.

That doesn’t mean you should skip your fruits and veggies. It may be best to pass on pre-packed lettuce from the grocery store right now, but as long as the food you eat is washed thoroughly, there is little risk of getting exposed to the diarrhea-inducing illness, especially in SC.

Here are tips on how to avoid cyclosporiasis if you’re still concerned:

Tips for concerned public

While there are no cases of Cyclosporiasis in SC that are tied to the nationwide outbreak, it’s recommended by the CDC and SCDPH to follow these tips to ensure this continues:

• Visit a clinician if you have prolonged or watery diarrhea, especially if it lasts more than a few days
• Reduce your risk by thoroughly washing fresh produce under clean running water before eating and by following safe food handling practices. It is important to thoroughly wash produce even if it is labeled as pre-washed.
• Wash your hands before and after handling food
• Cooking kills the parasite. Cook your food thoroughly
• If you are traveling to areas where cyclosporiasis is endemic (such as tropical and subtropical regions), it’s important to know that standard chemical disinfection, or sanitization of food or water is unlikely to eliminate the risk of Cyclospora

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "SC folks can avoid the diarrhea causing parasite spreading in the US by not eating these foods."