Florida Reports Surge in Cyclospora Cases Amidst National Outbreak
Florida has seen a significant increase in Cyclospora cases, with nearly 350 reported. The Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) area is among those experiencing the rise in cases, contributing to a nationwide outbreak.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 6, 2026 — Florida is experiencing a notable increase in reported cases of Cyclospora infection, with nearly 350 individuals affected. This rise contributes to a broader nationwide outbreak of the parasitic illness.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg area, including Sarasota, is among the regions within Florida seeing a surge in these cases. Public health officials are monitoring the situation as the number of reported infections continues to climb.
Cyclospora is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. People typically become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Common symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some infected individuals may not experience any symptoms.
The exact source of the outbreak in Florida and nationally has not been publicly identified. Health departments are investigating to determine the origin of the infections, which often involves tracing contaminated produce or water sources. The duration of illness can be several days to a month or even longer if untreated.
While the trend summary did not provide specific details on the timeline of the increase or the exact number of cases in the Tampa-St. Petersburg/Sarasota area, it indicated that this region is part of the overall rise in Florida. Information regarding specific prevention measures or public health advisories related to this particular outbreak was not detailed in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Nathaniel Rodriguez on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
