A stomach parasite that shrugs off chlorine has reached Georgia as part of a nationwide outbreak, and health officials say the risk is highest right now for anyone eating fresh produce or swallowing water at pools and splash pads.
The CDC reported 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 31 states as of Wednesday, July 9, with 86 hospitalizations and zero deaths. More than 1,500 additional probable cases are under review. Georgia is among the affected states, according to CBS News Atlanta, which reported Thursday, July 10, that Georgia health officials reminded residents the state typically sees its highest case counts during summer.
Michigan illustrates how fast the outbreak is moving. That state alone tallied 1,562 cases as of Friday, July 11, the largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in its history, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC noted that multiple states reported sharper case increases in the two weeks before July 9 than during the same period in 2025.
How it spreads
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine. Most infections have been linked to contaminated fresh produce. Previous U.S. outbreaks involved raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and lettuce, according to NPR's reporting on CDC and FDA data.
The parasite can also spread when people swallow contaminated recreational water. Because Cyclospora resists chlorine, it can survive in treated pools and splash pads, including local facilities like the City Green splash pad at City Springs. The risk is tied to swallowing water, not skin contact.
Symptoms and when to seek care
Symptoms include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. They can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure. People sickened in the current outbreak have ranged in age from 5 to 88.
Anyone with diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms lasting more than 48 hours should see a doctor, according to health officials cited by 11Alive. A stool test can confirm the diagnosis, and cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics.
How to reduce risk
Health experts recommend washing fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, though the parasites are difficult to rinse off completely. Cooking produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills Cyclospora. At pools and splash pads, avoid swallowing water.
What's next
The CDC's investigation is ongoing, complicated by the fact that symptoms can lag exposure by up to two weeks, making it hard for patients to recall what they ate. The agency noted a six-week gap between when illnesses begin and when they are reported to federal authorities, meaning the national case count will likely grow.
Dr. Carl Williams, North Carolina's state public health veterinarian, told WRAL that health officials across the Southeast expect more reports. "We've had cases among all age ranges, including children and people over 65," Williams said.
Residents can monitor updates at cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis.
