32 Cyclosporiasis Cases Confirmed In Maryland As Infections Rise Over Recent Years

BALTIMORE, Md. — Summer produce season has brought with it a familiar public health concern, as state officials track a rise in cyclosporiasis cases across Maryland that mirrors a broader trend playing out nationwide.

The Maryland Department of Health confirmed to BayNet that it is currently monitoring reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources showing increased cyclosporiasis cases in multiple states between May 1 and June 16, 2026. Case counts typically climb during the spring and summer months, and health officials consider May 1 through August 31 to be the primary cyclosporiasis season, though infections can occur at any time of year and are sometimes linked to international travel.

32 Cyclosporiasis Cases and Counting: Maryland Sees Sharp Rise Over Past Two Years — Source: Maryland Health Department

Case Numbers Climbing Across Maryland

According to the Maryland Department of Health, since the start of 2026, Maryland has recorded 32 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases statewide, with 28 of those reported between May 1 and July 7, 2026, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Local health departments — including those serving Southern Maryland — are handling the investigations into individual cases and reporting their findings to the state health department. So far, no common source has been identified linking the cases reported during the May 1 to July 7 window, nor among the broader pool of 2026 cases statewide.

The current numbers mark a notable shift from recent years. Per the Maryland Department of Health, the state recorded 204 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases in 2024, including 19 during the same May 1 to July 7 window. In 2025, the department reported 128 lab-confirmed cases, with 18 falling in that same period— meaning this year’s case count for that same window is already about 50 percent higher than either full year saw during that timeframe.

What Cyclosporiasis Looks Like

Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic intestinal illness spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically surface between one and 14 days after exposure — most commonly around one week — and the leading sign is watery diarrhea accompanied by frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements.

Other symptoms can include:

Extreme fatigue
Loss of appetite
Substantial weight loss
Increased gas and bloating
Stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting
Low-grade fever

Symptoms may come and go in waves, and if left untreated, the illness can persist anywhere from a few days to a month or longer. Some people who are infected may not experience any symptoms at all. State health officials are urging anyone experiencing these symptoms to contact their health care provider for evaluation and testing.

Additional information about prevention and treatment is available on the Maryland Department of Health’s website.

The Maryland Department of Health said it will not release further details about the individuals affected in order to protect their privacy.