ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, have reduced dramatically after a major outbreak hit North Carolina earlier this summer.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Cyclosporiasis Cases in North Carolina dashboard, there have been 23 new cases reported since last Tuesday, Aug. 11, with one new hospitalization.
The total number of cases since May 2026 has now been brought to 929, with 32 hospitalizations.
The disease was most widespread in early to mid-July, when over 200 new cases a week were reported for two weeks straight.
The NCDHHS suggested the following safety tips for reducing the risk of exposure to the illness:
- Thoroughly wash your hands before handling food or after cleaning or using bathrooms.
- Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating, cutting or cooking, even if a product is labeled as “pre-washed.” Washing may reduce the amount of cyclospora in contaminated produce, but it’s unlikely to remove it entirely.
- Wash your hands after washing produce that is commonly reported as sources of cyclospora, including parsley and cilantro, before washing other produce.
- Don’t share surfaces or knives with other food items when preparing produce commonly reported as sources of cyclospora.
For more information, visit www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/foodborne-illnesses/cyclosporiasis/cases.
