The White House announced on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, that it is closely monitoring a growing multistate outbreak of the cyclospora parasite that has sickened more than 400 people across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Federal health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are actively working to trace the outbreak to its original source.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during a briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room that the administration is committed to providing the CDC and FDA with the necessary resources to address the outbreak, despite recent staffing changes. "Most importantly, [we're working to] trace the outbreak back to its original source, which we are currently in the process of doing," Leavitt said.

The CDC has warned that the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher, as many infected individuals do not seek testing or medical care. The outbreak appears to have accelerated since May, raising concerns because investigators have yet to identify the contaminated food responsible, leaving consumers without a specific product to avoid. Federal and state officials continue to trace illnesses through patient interviews and food supply records.

The White House's comments followed a CDC warning about the large cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting multiple states, underscoring the urgency of the investigation.

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