Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Some Arizona consumers turn to local farms

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:16:49 -0700

As cases of an intense digestive sickness continue to spread across the country, some are turning to locally grown produce.

While no cause has been determined yet for what is causing the cyclosporiasis outbreak, it is making some think a little more about where they buy their food.

The illness, caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora, can lead to weeks of gastrointestinal illness.

Doctors say symptoms can include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting that may last for weeks — sometimes as long as a month — but one symptom is considered the hallmark of the infection.

"The explosive diarrhea is really hallmark," said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan of One Medical.

Health officials say dozens of states are investigating cases of cyclosporiasis, including Arizona, where 10 cases have been reported.

Kelly Saxer of Agritopia walks around the farm in Gilbert, and shows off what is growing right now.

"We've got honeydew melons here see a few," Saxer said. "This time of year, so the shaded ones are the best ones."

Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a parasite that attacks the digestive system is growing, Saxer says to consider buying from your local farmer.

"They know exactly where it came from. They can come out. They can walk around the field. See where everything is grown," Saxer said. "Also know that everything was harvested right before deliveries."

Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, a physician, outlined the physical toll of the illness.

"Watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating, fatigue, nausea, sometimes vomiting," Ungerleider said.

The CDC says Cyclosporiasis spreads through contaminated water or food, often fresh produce. The source of the current outbreak is still being investigated, but the CDC says in the past, cases have been linked to imported fresh produce.

That is making some consider buying closer to home.

"Oh yes, I think it's important to stay within your local area shop local stay local make sure you're supporting your local areas because it is scary," said Gilbert resident Shelly Johnson.

"I got some of our fresh arugula with this large box. You're getting two of everything," Saxer said.

Saxer says they have seen an uptick in buyers of their farm boxes delivered to doorsteps, but she could not say the exact cause.

"I don't know if it's related directly to that. People are definitely becoming more familiar with local farms and what's available and making the most of that," Saxer said.

While the classic advice from the CDC is to thoroughly wash your produce, that is not a surefire solution. The best prevention is to cook it if you can.

Arizona reports several cases in nationwide cyclosporiasis parasite outbreak

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:49:51 -0700

A growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis is drawing attention from health officials as cases continue to rise across the country, including in Arizona.

The illness, caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora, can lead to weeks of gastrointestinal illness.

Doctors say symptoms can include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting that may last for weeks — sometimes as long as a month — but one symptom is considered the hallmark of the infection.

"The explosive diarrhea is really hallmark," said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan of One Medical.

Health officials say dozens of states are investigating cases of cyclosporiasis, including Arizona, where 10 cases have been reported.

In Michigan, health officials have reported more than 1,500 cases and 44 hospitalizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said states are likely reporting more cases of cyclosporiasis than are currently reflected in the agency's national data.

Since May 1, the CDC said they have received reports of 843 confirmed domestic cases and said they are aware of more than 1,500 additional cases that are awaiting further analysis and confirmation.

"We typically see this infection in the summer and that’s because more people are eating more imported fruits and vegetables around that time," Bhuyan said. "This year we’re seeing more cases of cyclosporiasis than we have before."

Unlike many foodborne illnesses commonly linked to meat, Bhuyan said cyclospora is most often associated with fresh produce, including raspberries, blackberries, basil and leafy greens.

"People look back and say, ‘I didn’t eat anything unusual yesterday or the day before,' but it might have come from fruit they ate even weeks ago," Bhuyan said.

Health experts say people become infected after eating fresh produce contaminated with the parasite, which is typically spread through human fecal contamination.

University of Arizona Associate Professor Jerry Lopez, who studies cyclospora, said investigators are working to trace the source of the latest outbreak.

He said contamination can occur through multiple pathways, including water used to irrigate crops.

"From farm to fork, that time frame is really quick," Lopez said.

Lopez said the complexity of the food supply can make outbreaks difficult to trace.

"It's chopped up, goes through a wash. If it was contaminated, then it’s packaged, and then it might be packed into multiple types of things, so then you have shipments of these commodities that can definitely end up going to different regions," Lopez said.

'You have to wash your hands’

Bhuyan said another warning sign is symptoms that appear to improve before returning again. She warned that prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and, in some cases, hospitalization.

She also said the parasite can be difficult to eliminate, surviving on frozen fruit and not always being removed through washing alone.

"The alcohol-based sanitizers are not effective against this parasite, so you have to wash your hands with soap and water," Bhuyan said. "Really, the only way to truly eradicate it is if you cook these foods, but they're fruits, so people don’t always eat them cooked."

Despite the increase in cases, Bhuyan said people should not stop eating fruits and vegetables.

She said the infection is treatable with antibiotics, and the health benefits of eating produce outweigh the risk.

Latest Cyclosporiasis News | FOX 10 News Phoenix

Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Some Arizona consumers turn to local farms

Arizona reports several cases in nationwide cyclosporiasis parasite outbreak

'You have to wash your hands’