No Reported Cases of Cyclospora Infections in Humboldt County Amid Outbreak of Explosive-Diarrhea-Causing Parasite in Other States 59%
By Sage Alexander89%
7/17/2026, 4:30:32 PM
Topics: Infectious Diseases, Food Safety
BS Summary: This article contains 16 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Authority, Hasty Generalization, and Confirmation Bias, with Indoctrination as the most egregious example at 44.3% saturation with 185 hits. Analysis detected 730 faulty-reasoning hits from 418 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 56.1% and a BS Rank of 59% (7,599 of 18,403 articles). This article is worse (more manipulative) than 58.70% of the article peer group.
While clusters of cyclosporiasis cases have popped up across the United States, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Branch hasn’t tracked a single reported case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 1,645 confirmed cases and over 5,100 suspected cases investigated across 34 states this week, a count much higher than the same period last year.
Individual states are reporting thousands more, including Michigan at over 5,000.
The intestinal illness is caused by the parasite Cyclospora, typically spread through food or water contaminated by human feces.
But the parasite hasn’t been churning any stomachs lately in Humboldt County.
“Currently, there have been no reported cases in the county,” a spokesperson for DHHS told the Outpost in an email.
In California, fewer people have tested positive for cyclosporiasis than last year so far, and there are no known outbreaks in the state, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Still, state health authorities are calling on residents to thoroughly wash vegetables.
Vulnerable populations are encouraged to cook fresh produce whenever practical.
Here’s some information from the California Department of Public Health on preventing the infection:
While California’s case numbers remain stable and fall within expected ranges, CDPH urges everyone to follow these prevention steps:
Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing raw fruits and vegetables.
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.
Most foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to imported fresh produce, including raspberries, cilantro, basil, snow peas, and mixed salad.
While washing produce is important, it may not completely remove Cyclospora, so cooking is recommended when possible.
For more information on cyclosporiasis and safe food and water habits, visit CDPH’s cyclosporiasis webpage and see CDC resources on preventing cyclosporiasis.
Analysis
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