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JULY 11– COAST TO COAST HEALTH OUTLOOK on Cyclospora. YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR. KATELYN JETTELINA
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Explosive foodborne outbreak
It’s a really bad show out there: What we know, don’t know, and what it means for you.
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Well, nothing like the U.S.’s biggest explosive diarrhea outbreak ever to take me out of vacation mode.
But I’m getting really frustrated with the coverage, which leaves people struggling to navigate which foods are safe and which aren’t.
Some of this confusion is unavoidable, as outbreak investigations are messy and uncertain, unfolding quickly in real time.
But some of it is a direct result of what happens when the glue holding public health together (i.e., the federal government) is simultaneously gutted, lacking transparency and centralized communication, and impacted by corporate interests.
So here’s what we know, what we don’t, and what it means for you.
What we know
- The culprit is a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora, which spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces. This parasite lives in the human gut and is shed in stool as a tough, thick-walled shell. This is why it survives on produce and resists rinsing and typical sanitizers.
- This outbreak, the largest in U.S. history, has topped 3,000 cases, and it’s not slowing down.
- That number comes from adding up state-level case counts, which are running well ahead of the counts on CDC’s website. For context, the U.S. typically sees around 3,000-4,000 cyclosporiasis cases in an entire year—so this single outbreak has already matched a normal year’s total, and it’s still climbing.
- Note that the real number is almost certainly higher: most people with a few days of watery diarrhea ride it out at home rather than see a doctor, and those who do see a doctor may or may not get tested for cyclosporiasis (it’s an expensive test!).
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This is now a little outdated, as it shows 1,500 cases in red, and the count has since doubled.
Even at that lower number, it’s clearly well above the expected historical trend, shown in gray. Figure from Force of Infection.
- This outbreak is nationwide, with more than 31 states reporting cases.
- Michigan has the most cases—more than 1,600 confirmed—but that doesn’t mean it started there. It is more likely to mean Michigan is better resourced for testing, reporting, and epidemiological legwork, so more of its cases are getting caught and counted. Michigan cases continue to increase quickly.
- This outbreak is ballooning quickly because the U.S. hasn’t publicly pinpointed the contaminated food,
- NOT because it’s contagious person-to-person. When someone sheds the parasite in their stool, it isn’t immediately infectious—it needs 1 to 2 weeks in the environment to mature before it can make anyone else sick. Practically speaking, even without perfect hand hygiene, you’re not going to pass this to your family the way you would a typical stomach bug (called norovirus).
- Public health cuts have played a role here, but not the one getting the headlines.
- A lot of blame is landing on last year’s cuts to FoodNet, a CDC surveillance program.
- But FoodNet was never designed for real-time outbreak detection or response. Instead, it tracks longer-term background trends for research. The more accurate culprits are the lack of centralized coordination by the federal government, our siloed health systems, and insufficient capacity at state and local health departments. The work is laborious, and public health is chronically underresourced. Local public health departments are doing this while tracking everything else, like measles. If the American public wants a public health system, then the U.S. needs to pay for it.
- One chain has already pulled an ingredient: Taco Bell. And the number of entertaining tweets about this (Taco Bell leading the appropriate response to diarrhea) is not in short supply.
What we don’t know (with some educated hunches)
- Why is it taking so long to find a source?
- The only way to determine the cause is through epidemiological investigations (i.e., interviews with people to identify a common source) followed by lab testing. Interviews are particularly hard for cyclosporiasis because the person needs to recount food over the past 10 days. BUT, by now, hundreds of interviews have been completed, and there should already be signals from the noise. If there are signals about potential sources (which I’m hearing there may be), the information needs to be communicated (and quickly) at a national level. Regardless of whether there is a single definitive source or multiple potential ones, the longer the federal government takes to identify and name it, the more illness and hospitalizations we will see. It’s that simple.
- How did the contamination start? Still unclear. Broadly, there are two possibilities: contamination at the farm level (poor field sanitation, such as workers without adequate bathroom access, or contaminated irrigation water) or contamination during processing (typically via contaminated water at the packing or washing stage).
What this means for you
I know most of us would like to avoid having explosive diarrhea, but keep in mind that the risk is low (much lower than getting norovirus right now). Produce is healthy for you, and there are ways we can lower the risk without cutting it out completely.
This is how I’m thinking about it for my own family:
- Avoid the bagged or boxed salads for now, until there’s more clarity on which products and sources are affected. Whole heads of lettuce you wash and cut yourself are the safer bet in the meantime.
- Until a source is confirmed, lean toward produce with the least human handling. This means things you can peel, wash thoroughly, or cook. Produce with lots of bumps, grooves, and folds (leafy greens, berries) gives the parasite more places to hide, which makes it harder to wash off completely.
- Washing helps, but it won’t fully remove the parasite. Water removes some of it, but not all, because it clings and hides in nooks and crannies. Cooking will kill it, though I recognize “just cook your salad” isn’t a satisfying solution.
- If you are sick, be sure to talk to your clinical care team. Keep in mind:
- Severe cases can be treated with antibiotics (called Bactrim). An older randomized controlled trial in Nepal showed that after treatment, parasites were detected in only 6% of patients (compared with 88% in the placebo group).
- Symptoms can go away and come back for weeks. In one past outbreak, the longest case lasted 107 days. If your diarrhea keeps returning like this, it’s more likely cyclosporiasis than norovirus, so ask your doctor to test for it.
- If a health department calls you for an investigation (i.e., interview), please participate. It will help others avoid the misery you’re experiencing and increase the likelihood of accountability down the road.
- Other questions I’m seeing:
- Will you know if it’s on food because it smells like poop? No, these parasites are so small you won’t pick them up with smell.
- Is this deadly? It hardly ever is. Most cases are mild, and severe cases can be treated. CDC is reporting 86 people hospitalized and no deaths.
- If I’m old or pregnant, I’m already more worried, but is that warranted? Pregnant women, older adults, young kids, and anyone who is immunocompromised are more likely to get severely dehydrated or have a longer illness. Don’t tough out watery diarrhea. Call your clinical care team.
- If I don’t go to the doctor, how is my data counted? It mostly isn’t. If you ride it out at home or your doctor doesn’t order that test, you’re not in the official count, which is a big reason officials think true case numbers are higher than reported.
- Will a parasite cleanse work? No. The over-the-counter kits are typically some combination of herbal supplements and laxatives, and there’s no evidence they clear Cyclospora or any other parasite.
Bottom line
This is a very large foodborne illness outbreak, but there’s plenty we can do as individuals while we wait for government systems to catch up.
Now back to vacation. Be back next week with more!
Love, YLE
To get a deeper download, be sure to check out The Evidence Collective post yesterday.
A huge thanks to my friend and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Rivers over at Force of Infection for staying on top of the numbers and graphs so I didn’t have to while on vacation. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. The YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below:
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JULY 11–WHITE PLAINS WEEK-THE JULY 10TH REPORT ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG A
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ONLY THE DAYLILLIES WAVING IN THE WIND AND RAIN LAST WEEKEND 17,000 WITHOUT POWER RESTORED IN 3 DAYS AFTER TREES AGAIN DOWN POWER ACROSS THE COUNTY
FEINER GREENBURGH SUPERVISOR CALLS “BURY THE WIRES UNDERGROUND NOW”
NASSAU COUNTY’S COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS REPUBLICAN CHOICE TO OPPOSE GOVERNOR HOCHUL
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST COUNCIL MEETING ON KOL AMI ZONING CHANGE
JOHN BAILEY ON THE REAL MEDICAID CUT TO THE STATE OF NEW YORK $63 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 8 YEARS COMPOUNDED BY INFLATION EVERY YEAR AND THE BLAKEMAN CAMPAIGN. THE DEMOCRATS WITHOUT A CAMPAIGN AND ITS 4 MONTHS TO ELECTION DAY
KRISTINE BOROK ON THE HUNGER AHEAD
FULL INTERVIEW ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
JULY 9 — INTRODUCING NEW FARE BOXES ON THE BEELINES—NO METROCARDS HONORED AFTER JULY 20
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JULY 9– JUST IN 4:30 PM EDT HUDSON RIVER BEACHES CLOSINGS
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TEMPORARY BEACH CLOSURES
(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Department of Health has temporarily closed the following beaches after routine water quality testing detected bacteria levels exceeding New York State health standards.
- Croton Point Park Beach
- Philipse Manor Beach
- Hudson Park East Beach
The beaches have been notified and closed to swimming out of an abundance of caution to protect public health.
The Department of Health will collect follow-up water samples.
If the results meet New York State water quality standards, the beaches could reopen as early as Sunday. Residents are encouraged to check for the latest beach status updates before traveling to any County beach.
JULY 9 — RAINED OUT 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY JULY 10 YOU ALL COME
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Celebrate America’s 250th this weekend at Playland Park!
[Rye, NY] – Playland Park will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a special commemorative fireworks display on Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m., with a rain date of Saturday, July 11. The event was rescheduled from July 4 due to weather. This larger fireworks display will replace the regularly scheduled Friday evening show.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase ride wristbands and parking in advance for a seamless entry and more time to enjoy the park. Both are available to purchase at playlandpark.org.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Playland’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks are a tradition not to be missed, especially for our nation’s 250th celebration. Although we had to postpone last week’s event, we’re excited to welcome everyone to the park to enjoy the celebration. It’s a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy an evening of family fun in one of Westchester’s most iconic destinations.”
Westchester County Parks Acting Commissioner Peter Tartaglia said: “The date may have changed, but the excitement hasn’t. Playland is proud to host this special celebration, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a classic summer evening and a spectacular fireworks display honoring America’s 250th anniversary.”
The fireworks continue all summer long, every Friday for the remainder of the season. Fireworks displays begin at 9 p.m.
For Playland’s full schedule, hours, tickets and season passes, visit playlandpark.org. Season passes are available to purchase online only.
Playland Amusement Park is at 1 Playland Parkway in Rye, NY.
JULY 6—- GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON THIS WEEKEND’S GUN VIOLENCE AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S GUN SAFETY ROLLBACKS
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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement after a violent Fourth of July weekend in New York City left over a dozen people shot, including several children and one NYPD detective:
“This weekend, a family barbecue in Coney Island turned into a crime scene. Eight people were shot, four of them children as young as six. Hours later, one of our own detectives took a bullet doing his job to keep New Yorkers safe. More than a dozen people shot in two days, in a city that had just posted a record low for gun violence this year. That is not progress we can afford to lose, and it is exactly the moment the federal government should be doing more to keep guns out of the wrong hands – not less.
“Instead, the Trump administration has spent the past year and a half dismantling the very safeguards that make moments like this rarer. They’ve gutted the ATF’s ability to shut down dealers who repeatedly break the law. They’re restoring gun access to people flagged for serious mental illness. They’re rolling back scrutiny of dangerous accessories like stabilizing braces. And they are actively suing states to strike down limits on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. All of these actions defy common sense and make our communities less safe.
“New Yorkers just watched what happens when a gun ends up in the wrong hands on a summer night. The Trump administration’s answer is to make that easier, not harder. I will keep fighting in the Senate for the background checks, dealer accountability, and commonsense restrictions this administration is determined to tear down. The safety of our kids, our families, and our police officers should never be a partisan afterthought.”
JULY 6 — MEALS FOR KIDS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER FROM WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)
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White Plains City School District offering free summer meals to children
The White Plains City School District will offer free summer meals for children 18 and under this summer. Summer meals will be offered at White Plains High School from June 30 to August 17 and at Post Road School from July 6 to July 31. Breakfast will be served from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 12 to 12:30 p.m. All kids are welcome! No registration or sign-up is needed.
To find a summer meal site near you, text “food” or “comida” to 304-304. You can also call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Use the USDA SUN Meals site finder at https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals
JULY 6—- AFTER OVER THOUSANDS LEFT WITHOUT POWER IN WESTCHESTER DUE TO TREE FALL DOWNED WIRES BURY THE WIRES
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER JULY 6, 2026
Saturday night many Westchester residents and customers of Con Ed lost power. The company worked hard to restore service to those impacted.
A few years ago, Con Ed did a test in Greenburgh and in Yorktown placing wires underground on a street in Hartsdale (Birchwood Road).
I think that Con Ed should provide residents with their findings on the success of the test they conducted and advise if placing wires underground would result in fewer outages in the future.
If the experiment worked, I believe that Con Ed should expand the program and annually place more wires underground in their service territory.
. Underground lines are not exposed to high winds, falling trees or flying debris –the leading causes of outages.
Ice accumulation can also snap overhead wires and poles. Cars crashing into utility poles ae also a common cause of outages.
If Con Ed would include this initiative in their capital budget annually – over time there will be fewer outages.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
JULY 5–THUNDER BOOMERS CUT POWER IN GREENBURGH– SUPERVISOR COMMENDS CON ED SWIFT RESTORATION OF POWER
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER JULY 5, 2026
Commending Con Ed, Greenburgh Public Works department for response to last night’s storm…
Last night many Greenburgh residents were impacted by heavy rains with gusts up to 60 MPH which pushed trees into overhead wires.
I was very impressed with the Greenburgh Public Works Department.
After I lost power around 8:15 I drove to another location so I could charge my phones and answer e mails. Portions of Ardsley Road were not passable because of downed trees.
By time I got back home around 11 PM the Greenburgh Public Works Department had removed the trees and the road was passable! There were a number of downed trees around town last night and as of 8:00 AM this morning all the roads are passable. Only a small area around 455 Ridge Road was closed to traffic due to a downed wire.
I also want to commend Con Ed for their efforts.
Most people who live in Greenburgh who were out of power last night have had their power restored or will have the power restored today. Compare this to a few years ago when many residents were out of power for up to two weeks –on multiple occasions. Con Ed is doing a much better job.
According to Con Ed -Greenburgh, Elmsford, Dobbs Ferry and sections of Ardsley were hit harder than most other areas.
Stay away from downed wires because they could be live. Con Ed will have staff guard downed wires while making repairs.
Today and tomorrow there could be heavy showers and thunderstorms but according to reports that I received damaging wind threats to trees is lower.
I can always be reached on my cell if there is any emergency. My cell phone is 914-438-1343.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor