200+ cases of cyclospora parasite reported in Wake & Durham Co. Latest updates

In Durham County, 18 cases of a parasite that causes intestinal distress have been identified as of Monday, July 13, according to Durham County Department of Public Health.

More than 185 cases have been reported in Wake County as of Tuesday, July 14, and four hospitalizations, according to Wake County Public Health – up from 154 on Monday, The News & Observer previously reported.

As of July 10, at least 240 cases were identified in North Carolina, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Between 31 and 80 of the cases were contracted in The United States, according to the CDC.

CDC data shows lower cases than many state and local health departments are reporting, as the CDC identifies whether the cases are acquired within the United States or not.

A cause has not been identified for the national and statewide uptick in cases. Cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by cyclospora, is sometimes linked to contaminated produce products. The FDA has initiated outbreak investigations.

Not everyone who is infected will have severe enough symptoms to seek healthcare, which could make the number of cases higher than reported.

Symptoms

Very young, old and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of a severe infection. Cyclosporiasis may take up to two weeks to cause symptoms, and often lasts longer than food poisoning.

According to the CDC, symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea (most common)
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue

Less common symptoms may include:

• Vomiting
• Body aches
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Treatment

Cyclosporiasis can be treated with a combination antibiotic, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Most people recover without treatment.

Cooking or cleaning produce carefully can lower the risk of infection. Clean produce with clean water and dry it.

Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.

Eva Flowe

The Charlotte Observer

Eva Flowe is a North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She joined the Charlotte Observer as part of the NC service journalism team in April 2026.