Cyclosporiasis reaches Orange Co., totaling 240+ cases across the Triangle

Orange County Health Department has reported eight cases of cyclosporiasis as of Wednesday, July 15.

Wake County cyclosporiasis cases have risen to at least 216 with five people hospitalized as of Wednesday. This is up about 17%, from 185 on Tuesday, July 14.

Durham County has reported 18 cases, as of Monday, July 13.

The CDC has said case counts are almost certainly undercounts, as not all sickened with the parasite cyclospora will seek medical care or be tested.

There are at least 307 cases in North Carolina as of July 14, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Thirteen have been hospitalized, and 81-160 of the cases were contracted in The United States, according to the CDC.

In the Charlotte area, both Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County have reported 20 total cases, the Charlotte Observer previously reported.

A cause has not been identified by the CDC that accounts for the national and statewide uptick in cases. Cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by cyclospora, is sometimes linked to contaminated produce products. Michigan’s state government has pointed a finger at lettuce and salad greens. The FDA has initiated outbreak investigations.

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. Wash produce with clean water and dry it thoroughly.

Portions of this story were previously published in The News & 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.