Hundreds of New Yorkers Affected by Cyclosporiasis Infection — What You Should Know

A serious outbreak of cyclosporiasis (an intestinal foodborne illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis) has so far sickened nearly 3,000 people nationwide, including hundreds of New Yorkers. Cyclosporiasis is typically contracted by consuming fresh produce or water contaminated with fecal matter. Symptoms can include serious diarrhea, with severe cases requiring hospitalization.

What Happened

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking an active outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with hundreds of cases reported in more than 30 states
• Because of a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC, the agency believes that case count will continue to rise during the upcoming days and weeks
• The cyclosporiasis outbreak has been linked to at least 86 hospitalizations across the country
• New York State has reported almost 500 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, 2026

Products and Risk

• Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne or waterborne illness caused by a microscopic parasite called cyclospora
• Past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have usually been caused by fresh produce, such as contaminated berries, bagged lettuce or salads, cilantro, or basil
• Symptoms include explosive, watery diarrhea; loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss; stomach and abdominal pain; bloating; severe, prolonged fatigue; nausea; vomiting; body aches; fever
• Public health agencies have not yet identified a product (or products) responsible for the outbreak
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it is “actively engaged” with state partners to investigate the source of the outbreak

Who Is At Risk

• Cyclosporiasis poses the greatest risk to individuals with weakened immune systems. This includes cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with compromised immunity. They struggle to clear the parasite naturally and often experience severe relapses.
• Older adults, elderly individuals, infants, and young children are also more vulnerable to severe dehydration from prolonged fluid loss.

 What You Should Do

1. If you are experiencing symptoms, ask your healthcare provider for a test. Standard, routine gastrointestinal panels and ova & parasite exams do not test for cyclosporiasis. The two primary methods used to detect Cyclospora cayetanensis are:
   • Stool PCR Test: Molecular tests (like the BioFire GI Panel) are the most sensitive method, looking for parasite DNA in the stool.
   • Microscopic Stool Examination: Requires special stains (such as modified acid-fast or safranin stains) or ultraviolet fluorescence to visualize the parasite.
2. Check for contaminated food. If public health authorities announce that the outbreak is the result of a contaminated food product or produce item, check your pantry and fridge to see if you have that item in your home. If so, do not eat that item. Either discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
3. Help your healthcare provider identify the source of the outbreak. If you become ill or believe you may have ingested a contaminated product, provide your healthcare provider with as much information as possible (product name, date consumed, lot number if available).
4. Preserve evidence and document your experience. Keep any remaining product (if safe to do so), packaging, receipts, photographs, hospital/doctor records, and note onset of symptoms/timeline.
5. Follow food safety rules. The CDC has given food safety guidance for preventing cyclosporiasis:

• • Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
  • Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
  • Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
  • Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours)

Why Legal Representation Matters

When serious harm results from food borne illnesses, such as hospitalization, it may indicate failures in the manufacturing, distribution or supply-chain process. Victims may have rights to compensation, including medical costs, lost income, pain & suffering, or wrongful death claims.

A law firm experienced in foodborne illness and product-liability cases like Dreyer Boyajian LLP can:

• • Investigate the supply chain and identify all liable parties
  • Help preserve critical evidence (packaging, lot codes, medical records)
  • Pursue claims on behalf of individuals or families who suffered serious harm
  • Navigate the complexities of litigation and recall-driven cases

Why Choose Dreyer Boyajian LLP

At Dreyer Boyajian LLP, our team has experience in large-scale food-contamination, product-liability and mass-tort litigation. We understand how to deploy expert witnesses (microbiology, epidemiology, food-safety engineering) to prove the science of foodborne and waterborne illnesses. Dreyer Boyajian’s attorneys focus on clients with serious injuries, ensuring their stories and needs are heard. We work to maximize compensation and justice, allowing our clients to focus on recovery.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one used a recalled product linked to this outbreak and experienced illness, especially if you are in a high-risk group or suffered significant harm, please contact Dreyer Boyajian LLP for a free consultation.