Maryland has begun investigating an increase in the number of cases of severe diarrhea caused by a parasitic disease called cyclosporiasis.
In 2026, the Department of Health of Washington State has reported 28 cases of cyclosporiasis. MedStar Health confirmed that one case had been reported in Baltimore.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cyclosporiasis is affecting hundreds of people across at least 18 different states. Health officials are trying to identify its source.
Maryland Department of Health has stated that no common links between the reported cases from May 1 through July 7 have been found.
Maryland’s health officials report that cyclosporiasis is most prevalent in the spring and summer months, especially from May 1 to August 31.
Maryland had 128 cases confirmed in 2025. 18 of these were reported between May 1, 2025 and July 7, 2025. Maryland had 204 cases confirmed in 2024. 19 of these were reported between May 1, and July 7, 2024.
Learn about the symptoms of cyclosporiasis
Doctors warn that cyclosporiasis symptoms are different than those of food poisoning.
Watery diarrhea, cramps in the stomach, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite are all symptoms. They can appear within a week, making it difficult for investigators and doctors to determine where they came from.
The parasite also changes during its replication, which makes it more difficult to trace a case to one source.
Fresh produce can contain Cyclospora parasite
Doctors say that washing fruits and vegetables well can reduce the risk of parasites. However, if your diarrhea is persistent, you should consult a doctor because antibiotics are available to treat these parasites.
The president of Expresscare Urgent Care Centers Dr. Jonathan Thierman explained that a fecal oral transmission occurs when stool contaminates foods and enters another’s body. The most common contaminants in fresh produce are lettuce and berries. I believe raspberries to be the worst because they have a lot more crevices. It’s the parasite eggs that stick to produce.

According to the CDC, investigations are being conducted in multiple clusters of similar cases across several states. There are currently no links between the cases.
The infection is treated with antibiotics. Although the symptoms can be debilitating and even fatal, no one has been killed in this outbreak of cyclospora.
Learn everything about the cyclospora and what you can do to avoid it.
What is it exactly?
What is the opposite of it?
Lili He, Professor and Head of the Food Science Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, said, “It is very different from viruses or bacteria.” I think this is the most difficult part because everyone always assumes it could be bacteria. . . “But the parasites are different.”
It’s difficult to distinguish the cause because most people associate diarrhea and vomiting with bacteria.
Cleveland Clinic reports that diarrhea is not the only symptom. Loss of appetite, bloating and gas, fatigue as well as low-grade fever and stomach cramps are also common. The symptoms can persist for up to one month, particularly if your immune system is weakened. Children and elderly adults can experience severer symptoms.
He said that parasites were much harder to eliminate when food is sanitized. Chemicals used to kill common bacteria like E.coli by factories and farmers won’t help kill Cyclospora.
Why Now?
The increase in cyclospora testing is partly due to its increasing availability, according to Dr. Paul Sax. He is the clinical director of Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases.
He said that traditional tests for stomach bug didn’t always include this parasite.
Sax explained that it was much harder to diagnose the disease in years past. There is likely to be some other increase. But I believe it’s important for people to understand that part of the reason is due improvements in testing.
There is no scientific explanation for this spike. CNN reported that the FDA has narrowed the investigation by looking at cucumbers, white and green onion, cilantro, and even cucumber juice.
This has happened before
Yes. Is this year’s number higher than any other? Yes.
Pax explained that in 1990, the same symptoms of diarrhea were caused by contaminated raspberry berries.
He said that cyclospora is treatable but, in his experience, people who get it often feel wiped out for a long time.
Pax says that although it would make life easier to have a known cure, there is no need to discard anything – lettuce, herbs or fruits – until the cause is identified.
He said that “every infectious disease specialist recommends washing your hands and all produce.” These are some simple things.

Iowa’s first confirmed measles outbreak in 2026 was not an isolated incident, according to public health officials. They saw that the case had ties with international travel. The trend they saw forced doctors and public health officials to be prepared for the measles being a constant threat. Measles is on the rise in the United States after a year that saw the worst outbreak of the disease for decades. We’re ready to accept this as a permanent part of life, said Polk County Director Juliann van Liew. Although Iowa had fewer cases in this past year, the disease is spreading across the country. “We are still seeing pockets in many states and don’t expect that to change anytime soon. The measles is now part of the routine care plan for many doctors. For years, the virus was not something they saw often. Now, hospitals have added electronic alerts that help them identify cases. Patel explained that we set notifications on our system to alert us if a patient comes in with symptoms such as fever, coughing, colds, and rashes. We take extra precautions, as do our employees when they see you. This is to ensure that we are not exposed and thus don’t spread the disease. These extra precautions are a reflection of how quickly measles can spread. Patel states that the virus can stay in the air up to two-hours after an infected individual leaves a space, which makes rapid identification crucial. Summer travel brings measles back homeThe Polk County resident contracted measles when traveling abroad, something Patel believes is more prevalent during summer. Patel says that people travel a lot in the summer. It is usually during this time that we see cases of people who have traveled abroad and brought it home. “Health officials say that’s why they encourage travelers to make sure they’re up to date on their MMR vaccination before leaving the country.Although vaccinated people can still contract measles, they’re more likely to experience milder illness and are less likely to spread the virus.A national trend with local implicationsAccording to Iowa HHS, the United States reported 2,289 confirmed measles cases in 2025, resulting in 243 hospitalizations and three deaths.As of July 2, a total of 2,170 confirmed cases had already been reported nationwide in 2026. Iowa reported nine cases of measles in 2025. One was in Polk County. This is after several years without any infections. Vaccination levels remain lower than what health officials would like to see. While this week’s measles case is linked to travel abroad, Polk County leaders claim that local vaccination rates make the community susceptible. She said, “Herd immunity should be at 95% or higher.” This will continue to be a problem because of the nature of this situation and that kids are going back to school in about a month. The 2024 School Immunization audit shows that the number of children who are not fully immunized has increased by more than twofold since 2020. This is from 2,682 to 5,516. Next stepsHealth officials will continue to monitor those who were exposed to the virus after an infected individual visited several public places across central Iowa from July 1 to July 5, even if there are no symptoms. Anyone who attended one of these locations between the dates listed is asked to fill out the Polk County Health Department’s online survey to determine if you have any symptoms.
Iowa’s first case of measles in 2026 was confirmed this week. Public health officials recognized that the case wasn’t isolated and linked only to travel abroad. The public health officials saw a pattern that is forcing physicians and departments of health to be prepared for the measles being a persistent threat.
A vaccinated, adult, who had contracted the measles while traveling abroad, is recuperating at home. This case occurs as the measles outbreak continues across the country after the United States had its worst disease year in years.
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Juliann van Liew, Polk County’s Health Director said: “We are prepared to live with this for a long time.” Although Iowa had fewer cases in this past year, the disease is spreading across the country. “We are still seeing pockets in several states and don’t expect that to change anytime soon.”
The disease that doctors never saw before is now part of the routine plan
Measles is a disease that many doctors have never seen before.
Some hospitals have adjusted their care of patients who show symptoms which could be indicative of the virus.
Dhruv Dhruv, a physician specializing in infectious diseases at UnityPoint Health said that the hospital has implemented electronic alerts for clinicians to quickly detect possible cases of measles.
Patel explained that “we have a notification set up in our medical records system so if you have fever, a cough, a cold, and a rash we are suspicious of measles.” We take the necessary precautions, both ourselves and with our staff. This is to ensure that we do not expose ourselves or other patients.
These extra precautions are a reflection of how quickly measles can spread. Patel said the virus could remain in the room for two hours even after an infected individual leaves. This makes rapid identification crucial.
Measles can be brought home by summer travel
Patel says that the Polk County patient caught measles after traveling abroad, which is a common pattern during summer.
Patel explained that people travel a lot in the summer. It is usually during this time that we see some cases of people who have traveled abroad and brought it home.
Officials from the Department of Health say this is why they urge travelers to ensure they are up-to-date on MMR vaccine before they leave the country.
Even though vaccinated individuals can still get measles they are more likely than not to have a mild illness, and less likely to spread it.
The national trend has local implications
Iowa HHS reports that the United States will have 2,289 measles confirmed cases by 2025. This is expected to result in 243 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths.
On July 2, 2026, a total 2,170 cases were confirmed in the United States. Iowa reported nine cases of measles in 2025. One was in Polk County.
The vaccination rate remains below what health officials would like to see
Polk County’s health officials say that while this case is linked to travel abroad, local vaccination rates make the community more vulnerable.
Van Liew stated that the county had not achieved the 95% vaccination level generally considered to be necessary for herd immunity.
She said, “We need herd immunity rates to reach 95%.” This will continue to be a problem because of the nature of this situation and that kids are going back to school in about a month.
According to the 2024 County School Immunization audit, there have been more than twice as many students not fully immunized since 2020. The number has increased from 2,682 children to 5,516.
Next steps
The health officials are continuing to monitor those who have possibly been exposed, after an infected individual visited several public places across central Iowa from July 1 through July 5,
Polk County Health Department encourages anyone who visited one of these locations at the times listed to fill out the online survey. This is true even if you have not experienced any symptoms.
The survey, according to officials, allows health care workers to make recommendations for a patient based on their age, vaccination history and other factors. Since measles can develop up to 21-days after an exposure, the public health worker’s recommendation will depend upon these variables.

Upper East Side (Manhattan) (WABC). New York City officials have confirmed 36 cases of Legionnaires disease linked to an Upper East Side outbreak. They hope to find the cause of the epidemic soon.
Zohran Mahdani, the mayor of Mamdani City in Saudi Arabia said that the city would soon publish the addresses for the buildings where it has been determined by the city’s scientists that legionella is found on cooling towers.
These cases include hospitalized 22 patients in three Upper East Side zip codes, including the areas of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville.
Inhaling airborne drops is the only way to contract a severe form of pneumonitis. The health department suspects that contaminated mist from cooling towers is spreading it.
ABC News’ Dr. DarienSutton said: “It is important to realize that the danger here does not come from the inside of the building. It comes from the outside in ZIP code X.”
City Hall has said that the Upper East Side cooling towers should have been tested by Wednesday evening.
By the end of this week, the health department will publish a list with cooling towers that are of particular interest.
Mamdani stated that “We will be taking the steps to release the addresses of where the incident occurred, as we also know transparency is a crucial part in how New Yorkers continue their daily lives.”
Officials warn that it could take several weeks to identify which building is actually the source.
The Health Department has stressed that this outbreak was not caused by the plumbing systems of any buildings. According to the Health Department, residents in affected areas are able to continue drinking tap water, taking showers, cooking, and using their air conditioners.
Most healthy people won’t get sick. About one out of every 10 Legionnaires sufferers is at high risk for death, especially smokers, the elderly and people with other health problems.
Seven people died and more than 100 were infected in Harlem during the outbreak that occurred last summer.
Sutton explained that the symptoms of Legionella are very similar to those of a typical case of pneumonia, including a fever and cough. It can also lead to gastrointestinal problems.
Officials from the Department of Health urged people with flu-like symptoms or pneumonia to get medical help. The health officials warned that as tests and investigations proceed, the number of Legionnaires’ disease confirmed cases will continue to increase.
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Families from Ladera Ranch want to know why so many children have been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in the same community.
Megan Matteson said her son Brody died at the age of 17 from Ewing Sarcoma.
He was a kid who loved to be outside. Megan Matteson, NBC Los Angeles’ Megan Matteson said that Brody was a kid who loved to spend time outdoors. He was riding his bike in the park. They were building jumps for bikes. “He was at the various parks in Ladera.”
Megan Matteson reported that Brody started complaining of back pain just before his 15th Birthday. Doctors then gave the family an awful diagnosis.
The Ewing Sarcoma had been found on the spine. She said it was L4. The hardest part about having Ewing disease on your spine is that you cannot have surgery. He was in combat from August 2024 to July 2025.
Brody was defeated in his March fight.
Megan Matteson, after her son’s death, said that she started hearing from families in Ladera Ranch – a town of 20,000 – 30,000 residents – where five more children were diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. According to the American Cancer Society, 200-240 children and teenagers are diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma every year.
She said, “Having three families contact me immediately after Brody’s diagnosis was both helpful and scary.”
Megan Matteson, along with other Ladera Ranch families don’t have a clue what’s causing their cancer. But they would like to learn more about pesticides used and the amount.
There is some evidence that pesticides may cause Ewing’s sarcoma. However, no correlation has been established.
Jackie French, an attorney at the firm of French & Associates in Los Angeles said: “We can’t say this is causing it.” We feel that there are more cancer cases than usual in Ladera, and when we look at pesticide usage, it seems to be higher than normal.
On Wednesday night, families attended a meeting to urge their neighborhood association to investigate what should be an alternative that is safer.
Dustin Matteson’s, Brody Matteson’s, father said that after the meeting, “We got some positive comments about their willingness to work with Brody.” Maybe put together a board of local residents to work with the landscaping boards to develop a more comprehensive pest management plan, which would mean organic pesticides and moving away from those synthetic ones that are bad for us.
Orange County officials have stated that an initial analysis of cancer data has not revealed a pattern. However, they plan to do another data review in the next few weeks due to the ongoing concerns.
Brody, as Brody’s parent, would like us to fight for the other kids. Megan Matteson stated that Brody’s parents would like us to do our best for all the children.
NBCLA contacted the Ladera Ranch HOA general manager via email and phone but had not yet received a reply at the time this article was published.