San Bernardino Residents Get County Cyclosporiasis Warning, but No Outbreak Reported
San Bernardino County has reported two cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026, but public health officials say they have identified no outbreak or cluster. For residents of the city of San Bernardino, the July 23 advisory is prevention guidance—not confirmation of an outbreak or a city-specific case count.
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health issued the advisory to encourage safe food-handling practices. Officials did not identify a link between the two reported cases or name a specific food, restaurant, store or water source connected to them.
What the county reported
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with feces containing the parasite.
The county’s notice says no outbreak or cluster has been identified in San Bernardino County. It does not establish that the two cases are connected, and it does not report a San Bernardino city outbreak.
That distinction matters: the reported two-case total applies to the county, not specifically to the city of San Bernardino. Residents should treat the notice as countywide prevention guidance rather than evidence of local transmission at a particular location.
Steps residents can take
County health officials recommend washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food—especially fresh produce—and after using the restroom.
Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly rinsed under clean running water before eating, cutting or cooking them. Residents should also wash utensils and food-preparation surfaces, including cutting boards and countertops, after preparing each food item to help prevent cross-contamination.
For lettuce and other salad greens, the county recommends buying whole heads rather than prewashed, bagged lettuce or premixed salad kits, removing and discarding the outer two to three leaves, and washing the remaining inner leaves under running water without soaking them.
When preparing greens and other produce that can be heated, residents should cook it to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit, or 70 degrees Celsius, when practical. The county says washing alone cannot guarantee removal of the parasite.
Symptoms and when to seek care
Symptoms usually begin one to two weeks after a person ingests contaminated food or water. They can include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, vomiting and a low-grade fever.
Not everyone infected with the parasite develops symptoms. People experiencing persistent or concerning gastrointestinal symptoms should contact a health care provider; this general information is not a diagnosis.
Frequent diarrhea can cause dehydration, so people experiencing it should drink plenty of fluids while seeking medical guidance. The county says cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics, but treatment decisions should be made with a health care provider.
San Bernardino County has not identified an outbreak or cluster. For San Bernardino residents, the immediate takeaway from the July 23 notice is to use careful food-handling practices and seek medical advice for persistent or concerning symptoms—not to interpret the advisory as confirmation of a city outbreak.
Sources
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