Humboldt reports no cyclospora cases amid multistate outbreak

Humboldt County had no reported cyclosporiasis cases Friday as a Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce spread through at least 34 states. Local health officials were not sounding an alarm, but the parasite’s reach in produce distribution made the issue relevant for kitchens from Eureka and Arcata to Fortuna and McKinleyville.

Cyclospora can cause severe, sometimes explosive diarrhea, along with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss. The parasite is microscopic and cannot be seen on produce, which makes appearance alone a poor way to judge whether fruits or vegetables are safe to eat. It is commonly associated with contaminated produce and water, especially items eaten raw.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said its July outbreak investigation linked the illness to iceberg lettuce in five states. A CDC-linked update on July 15 reported 1,645 confirmed cases in 34 states, and federal officials were still updating the public in a July 14 response transcript as the investigation expanded. ABC7 News said July 16 that at least 34 states had reported cases, while Reuters later reported U.S. cases had topped 4,100.

California health officials said the state was not among those seeing increased cyclosporiasis cases. One California report put the statewide total at 40 confirmed cases so far in 2026. That offered reassurance for Humboldt County, but the broader outbreak still mattered because local produce shelves, farmers markets, food co-ops and backyard gardens all sit inside California’s food network.

For Humboldt residents, the practical step is to treat Cyclospora like a food safety problem, not a mystery illness that only belongs elsewhere. Wash produce carefully, pay attention to where food comes from, and seek medical care if watery diarrhea or other symptoms develop after possible exposure. The illness can last for days or weeks if untreated, which makes early attention important even when local case counts remain at zero.