WINK Digital Team
•7/23/2026
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite continue to rise across Florida, with Lee County among the counties reporting the highest number of infections as health officials investigate a new Cyclospora outbreak.
The Florida Department of Health is now reporting 168 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis statewide from the beginning of the year through the latest available data through July 18th. This represents a climb of 62 cases since the state’s previous report, when Florida had 106 confirmed and probable cases.
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Lee County has reported 18 cases, making it the county with the second-highest number of reported infections in Florida, behind Miami-Dade County, which has reported 36 cases according to the Florida Department of Health.
The only other Southwest Florida county reporting cases is Collier County, which has reported two infections.
The increase comes as federal health officials investigate a new multistate Cyclospora outbreak involving 72 illnesses, according to federal health officials.
There are no reported deaths from any of the outbreaks.
The Food and Drug Administration has not identified a product linked to the latest outbreak and has not announced where the cases occurred.
Separately, federal health officials continue investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states.
The FDA's investigation traced the lettuce supply chain to Taylor Farms de Mexico, prompting the company to recall iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. While a later FDA test of a Taylor Farms lettuce sample was determined to be a false positive, health officials say they are continuing to investigate Taylor Farms lettuce as part of the outbreak.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food or water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can cause intestinal illness with symptoms including frequent diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and other digestive problems.
Health officials recommend washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill Cyclospora.
