Arkansas Cyclospora Cases Climb to 275 as Northwest Counties Lead the Surge

Health officials in Arkansas have shared new numbers that show a steady rise in cyclosporiasis. The state Department of Health reported 12 fresh cases, pushing the year’s total to 275. Most of these new infections showed up in the Northwest part of the state.

Benton County is at the center of the outbreak, with 158 cases logged so far. Seven of those came in just the past two days. Neighboring counties are also seeing growth. Boone County has recorded 26 cases, while Washington and Carroll counties sit at 24 and 11. Many other counties across Arkansas have reported smaller counts, usually between one and nine cases. Two of those counties, Calhoun and Lincoln, just appeared on the list for the first time this year.

The pace of new infections appears to be slowing down. Last week brought 38 new cases. The week before that saw 114. Department spokesperson Sarah Morris said it is still unclear if the drop will last. She pointed to food recalls and growing public awareness as possible reasons. Morris added that the department is now using email surveys to gather food and travel history from patients, which is helping investigators track the illness more efficiently.

Doctors believe several factors explain the heavy concentration in Northwest Arkansas. Dr. Cassandra Lautredou, who leads outbreak response for the department, mentioned differences in how local clinics test for and report cases. She also linked some infections to a multistate outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce and Taco Bell. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent investigators to Taylor Farms’ facilities in Mexico to inspect growing and packing operations.

Nationwide, the picture is serious. Federal data shows nearly 13,900 confirmed cases since May 1, with 740 people ending up in the hospital. Michigan has been hit hardest, with over 13,900 cases of its own and the first two deaths linked to the outbreak. Both victims had serious health conditions before getting sick. Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that spreads through contaminated food or water, and it can hit the same person more than once. To lower the risk, people are encouraged to wash produce carefully and pay attention to food safety alerts in their area.