Santa Barbara County appears to be in the clear of the parasite outbreak causing diarrhea that has spread across multiple states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported outbreaks in several states of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, which is typically contracted by eating fresh produce or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea and fatigue, according to the CDC.
The states that have seen an outbreak include Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, as of July 13, according to the CDC.
County Public Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg, confirmed to Noozhawk this week that there are no local cases so far.
Additionally, the California Department of Public Health released a statement that California is not among the states with increased intestinal parasite cases. The statement confirmed there are no local outbreaks in the state.
California has reported 41 “provisional cases” of cyclosporiasis between January and June 2026, according to the state health officials.
“Cases for 2026 are well within expected ranges for California,” said Dr. Erica Pan, California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer, in the statement.
Pan added that the department is monitoring the situation closely.
The outbreak has prompted people across the country to think twice about eating certain produce, fearing they will ingest the parasite and become ill.
On Thursday, the CDC reported that shredded iceberg lettuce at several Taco Bell locations was the source of the parasite infections in five states.
More than 1,644 people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia have been infected with the parasite, according to the statement.
Shredded iceberg lettuce sold in grocery stores or other restaurants is not affected, the statement added.
The CDPH and CDC have released a list of precautions residents can take:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw produce. The County Public Health Department added that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Scrub firm produce (like melons and cucumbers) with a clean produce brush.
- Remove and discard outer leaves from lettuce and leafy greens.
- For vulnerable populations (older adults, young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals), cook vegetables and herbs whenever practical.
- Prevent cross-contamination: Use clean cutting boards, utensils, and food-contact surfaces. Keep ready-to-eat foods separate from raw produce during preparation.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible (within two hours).
- Avoid food or water that may be contaminated by human feces, especially when traveling to countries where tap water or food may be unsafe.
- Wash your hands and any fresh produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Cooking kills the parasite. Cook your food thoroughly.
