The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has confirmed 173 cases of cyclosporiasis as of Monday, August 3, marking a sharp increase from the 123 cases reported just four days earlier. The ongoing rise in cases is connected to a multistate outbreak, according to health officials.
Benton County accounts for the majority of cases, with 108 confirmed. Washington County reports 17 cases, followed by Boone County with 10. Additionally, counties including Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Marion, Miller, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian, Grant, and Van Buren have each documented fewer than 10 cases.
The ADH states that cyclosporiasis infections, monitored closely during spring and summer months, have reached higher levels this year compared to previous years. In a statement, the department linked Arkansas’ surge to an ongoing multistate outbreak under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In late July, the FDA had attributed illnesses in nine states to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
Cyclospora, a parasite that spreads through food or water contaminated with fecal matter, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms that typically appear one to two weeks after exposure. These include watery diarrhea, often with frequent or explosive bowel movements. The ADH advises Arkansans to take preventative steps, including thoroughly washing produce, avoiding untreated water, and practicing good hygiene while preparing food.
For more information, residents can visit the ADH website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) page on cyclosporiasis outbreaks.
The FDA's investigation into the national outbreak also provides updated details on the situation.