Mecklenburg Co. reports 18 cyclosporiasis cases as illness spreads in US

At least 18 cases of a parasite that causes intestinal distress have been identified in Mecklenburg County in 2026, according to Mecklenburg Public Health.

People are generally exposed to cyclospora, a parasite that causes gastrointestinal symptoms, by produce contaminated with fecal matter. Mecklenburg Public Health Public Information Officer Myles Bell said 18 cases is around the average number the county normally sees in the summer.

About 60% of the cases in Mecklenburg were contracted outside the United States. The CDC is keeping track of cases contracted in the United States.

How many cyclosporiasis cases are in NC?

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

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.

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.

The CDC has confirmed 1,645 domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is investigating more than 5,100. The CDC has not identified a source for the wave of cases.

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.