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Texarkana's Wildest Radio Station!
July 5, 2026
A microscopic parasite that causes what the CDC bluntly describes as "explosive" diarrhea is spreading across the country this summer — and both Texas and Louisiana are on the list of affected states, putting the Ark-La-Tex squarely in the watch zone.
The CDC has confirmed 145 cases of cyclosporiasis across 17 states since May 1, with 20 people hospitalized so far. No deaths have been reported. Texas is tied with Illinois for some of the highest case counts outside New York, which leads the nation. Michigan has separately reported more than 150 additional cases not yet included in the federal count — meaning the real national total is likely already in the hundreds.
Cyclospora is a parasite spread through contaminated food and water — historically fresh produce like bagged salads, basil, cilantro, and berries. Health officials have not yet identified the source of this year's cases, and investigations into several multistate clusters are ongoing. Summer is prime season: the official outbreak window runs May 1 through August 31.
Here's the part that matters for your kitchen: because the parasite can cling to produce, washing alone doesn't reliably remove it. The CDC's advice is standard safe food handling — and paying attention to any recalls as the investigation develops.
Watery diarrhea is the hallmark, along with cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss. Symptoms typically start about a week after infection, and here's the nasty trick: they can fade and then come roaring back in cycles. Untreated, the illness can drag on for weeks or more than a month.
Doctors warn it's also frequently misdiagnosed — a standard stool culture won't catch it. Detecting Cyclospora requires a specific test, so if you've had diarrhea that keeps coming back and nothing's shown up on routine tests, it's worth asking your provider about cyclosporiasis specifically. The good news: once identified, it's treatable with a common antibiotic combination.
Nobody's saying skip the salad. But with cases confirmed on both the Texas and Louisiana sides of our region and no source identified yet, it's a good time to handle produce carefully, pay attention to recall news, and see a doctor if a stomach bug won't let go. The YEti will keep an eye on the investigation and pass along any recalls that hit our area.