# Cyclosporiasis cases surge to at least 620 in Kentucky **Published:** 2026-08-06T01:25:00.000Z **Source:** [WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-08-05/confirmed-cyclosporiasis-cases-on-the-upswing-in-kentucky) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/cyclosporiasis-cases-surge-to-at-least-620-in-kentucky FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky health officials are investigating a significant surge in cyclosporiasis cases, with confirmed reports climbing to at least 620, [according to WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-08-05/confirmed-cyclosporiasis-cases-on-the-upswing-in-kentucky). Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan parasite _Cyclospora cayetanensis_, typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. The infection causes gastrointestinal illness characterized by diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms typically appear 7 to 10 days after ingestion of contaminated food or water. The dramatic increase in cases has prompted health officials to urge the public to remain vigilant about food safety practices. Cyclosporiasis outbreaks have historically been linked to contaminated produce, particularly items imported from regions where the parasite is endemic. The Kentucky Department for Public Health has been working to identify the source of the outbreak and determine which foods or suppliers may be implicated. State health officials recommend thoroughly washing fresh produce under running water before consumption, though they note that washing may not completely eliminate the parasite in all cases. They also advise residents experiencing symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis to contact their healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. The antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the standard treatment for confirmed cases. The exact source of the outbreak remains under investigation. Health officials are working with healthcare providers, laboratories, and federal agencies to track the spread and prevent additional infections. The number of cases could continue to rise as investigations continue and more samples are processed for confirmation. ## Sources - [WUKY 91.3 FM](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-08-05/confirmed-cyclosporiasis-cases-on-the-upswing-in-kentucky) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from WUKY 91.3 FM. The original source is available at https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-08-05/confirmed-cyclosporiasis-cases-on-the-upswing-in-kentucky.