Cyclospora
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause a lengthy gastrointestinal illness and is currently linked to multiple outbreaks throughout the U.S.
Federal health officials and state and local health departments continue to investigate to pinpoint the source of the outbreaks.
Federal investigators determined that iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico is the most probable cause of a large outbreak that now includes nine states - Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the neighboring state of Kansas.
Fresh vegetables and fruit are usually associated with cyclospora outbreaks. People become sick when they eat food or drink water contaminated with the parasite.
What you need to know:
Cyclospora cases have been reported in Lancaster County and the Health Department is conducting interviews with community members who have contracted the illness but has not yet identified a common source.
The Department is working with state and federal partners to determine if the local cases are connected to the national outbreaks.
This is an evolving situation and investigations are ongoing.
Total number of cases to date in 2026:
| Month |
Total Cases |
Status |
Travel History |
| Confirmed** |
Probable* |
US Acquired |
International |
| June |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| July |
39 |
36 |
3 |
33 |
6 |
| August |
17 |
16 |
1 |
17 |
0 |
| Total |
59 |
55 |
4 |
50 |
9 |
* Probable: A case that meets the clinical description and that is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.
** Confirmed: A case that meets the clinical description and laboratory confirmation.
~~ Data updated by 4pm on weekdays.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of cyclospora infection, contact your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms include: Watery diarrhea • Stomach cramps or pain • Weight loss • Gas and bloating • Nausea or vomiting • Fatigue • Fever
The illness does not spread from one person to another.
How to reduce the risk of cyclospora infection:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
- Thoroughly wash fresh produce under clean running water before eating and wash produce even if it’s labeled as pre-washed. However, it can be difficult to wash cyclospora off all types of produce.
- Heating food to 158 degrees or higher kills cyclospora.
For additional prevention information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website at cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis.
Additional resources:
LLCHD Cyclospora Fact Sheet(PDF, 204KB)
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet
Find information about the recent outbreaks in other states - cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html