FDA Investigating 72 New Cyclosporiasis Cases With No Source Found Yet

(KMDL-FM) When you thought it was about to be safe enough to ask for lettuce on your taco, comes an urgent report from the Food and Drug Administration regarding the current outbreak of Cyclosporiasis. That is the medical malady that many of us have come to know as the "explosive diarrhea bug".

Food and Drug Administration Confirms New Outbreak - Source Unknown

According to reports, a new outbreak of the disease has already spawned 72 confirmed new cases. That information was brought to light on the FDA website. It was not clear at the time of publication how many or if any of the new confirmed cases were in Louisiana.

man covering his mouth

In the announcement made Thursday, July 23, 2026, the FDA confirmed a new outbreak of the parasitic infection. Perhaps even more troubling than news of the outbreak is the admission that federal officials do not know the source of this new uptick in cases.

The agency has initiated what is known as a traceback. That is exactly what you think it would be. Investigators are essentially attempting to find and follow the path of potentially contaminated food products, in hopes it will lead them to the source.

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

That method is how investigators were able to deduce that the initial outbreak of the parasitic infections and tie those cases to contaminated produce.

Two Louisiana Parishes are Hot Spots for Explosive Diarrhea Parasite

The most recent reports from the Louisiana Department of Health showed that Lafayette Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish were the "hot spots" in Louisiana for Cyclosporiasis cases.  The disease has resulted in five hospitalizations from those parishes, but no fatalities have been reported.

READ MORE: Don't Eat: 50 Louisiana Waterways Under Consumption Advisories

The current consensus on best practices in avoiding the parasite is to make sure that all fresh produce is thoroughly washed under running water and/or that fruit and vegetable products are thoroughly cooked before consumption.

There is a concern among health officials that current case counts are being underreported because some people might get the infection but have only mild symptoms. Others could have a more violent and volatile onset of symptoms.

READ MORE: Massive Egg Recall in Louisiana - Salmonella Concerns

If you do have symptoms of any kind, it is suggested that you report those to a healthcare professional. The onset of symptoms can take several days to manifest; the duration of the infection varies but is usually no more than a week to ten days.