Report Says Cyclospora Has Expanded to Some Fruit and Vegetables

LOUISIANA - A growing outbreak of Cyclospora has sickened thousands of people across the United States. To date there have been 125 cases reported in Louisiana with six of these cases requiring hospitalization.

Now, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield is warning people that the Cyclospora parasite is being found in some fruits and vegetables.

Get our free mobile app

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. People usually become infected after eating contaminated fresh produce or drinking contaminated water.

Unlike most foodborne illnesses that show up fairly quickly, Cyclospora symptoms usually don't appear for about a week after exposure, making the sources more difficult for health officials to trace.

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

The Biggest Symptoms To Watch For

The Cyclospora parasite is best known for causing severe diarrhea, but that's far from the only symptom.

Common signs include:

Frequent watery diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Bloating
Low-grade fever
Weight loss

Some people recover within a few days, while others can remain sick for several weeks or even experience symptoms that come and go.

Cyclospora Found In Fruits And Vegetables

Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC Director, is now warning people to be cautious of some fruits and vegetables.

From newsnationnow.com -

As the cyclospora outbreak continues to expand around the country, Dr. Robert Redfield is urging people to stay away from certain fruits and vegetables beyond lettuce.
Redfield, a former CDC director, told 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports' that the parasite has also been found in blueberries, raspberries and snow peas. The doctor stated that caution should be exercised when consuming raw vegetables beyond bagged lettuce.

Why This Matters In Louisiana

While Louisiana may not be at the center of the Cyclospora outbreak, as we mentioned earlier, 125 cases have been reported so far, 19 of these cases reported right here in Lafayette Parish, making it the second hardest hit Parish in the state.

With plenty of Louisianans loading up on fresh vegetables, salads, and fruit during the hot summer months, experts say staying informed is one of the best ways to stay healthy.

Produce Most Often Linked To Cyclospora

Over the years, Cyclospora outbreaks have been connected to several types of fresh produce, including:

Leafy greens
Iceberg lettuce
Cilantro
Basil
Snow peas
Cabbage
Certain berries

Dr. Redfield tells newsnationnow.com that cyclospora is very hard to simply wash off of fruits and vegetables, if not impossible saying "So if you wash your lettuce and you put it in a lettuce spinner and you have cyclospora in that lettuce, it’s still going to be there. You can’t wash it off.”

Ultimate Louisiana Food Challenges to Try in 2026

Louisiana is famous for gumbo, crawfish, po'boys, boudin, and just about every comfort food imaginable. But for some restaurants across the state, serving incredible food isn't enough, they've turned oversized meals into legendary food challenges that attract hungry locals and adventurous visitors alike.

Whether you're looking to earn bragging rights, score a free meal, or simply see if your stomach is up for the challenge, these Louisiana restaurants are serving up some seriously massive meals if you can handle it.

If you've been searching for Louisiana food challenges, best restaurant eating challenges in Louisiana, or where to attempt a food challenge in Louisiana, here's your ultimate guide.

(Editors Note - Restaurants menus and different food challenges can change at a moments notice, so if you decide you want to tackle one of these, it's best to contact the restaurant first as some of these could possibly not be offered any longer or have changed.)

We've listed 7 Louisiana food challenges from across the state including 2 right here in Acadiana, but there's a full list of many more over at foodchallenges.club..

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott