Cyclosporiasis cases surge in Florida; Lee reports 16 cases, second highest in state

Cyclosporiasis cases in Florida continue to rise, prompting renewed public health attention. Since May 1, the Florida Department of Health reported 158 confirmed cases as of an update posted July 18. The infections, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, can produce severe diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In Florida’s counties, 36 have reported cases, including Lee County with the second-highest total at 16; Miami-Dade leads with 33. Smaller counts were also reported in Collier, Highlands, Manatee, and Sarasota, with two cases each. Nationally, since May 1, the CDC has received 4,173 lab-confirmed domestic cases and is aware of more than 7,400 additional unconfirmed cases. No deaths were reported, and more than 300 hospitalizations occurred. CDC is investigating multiple clusters, including a multi-state outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. On July 17, Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.