Aug 5, 2026 - News

Cyclosporiasis spread continues

Alex Golden

Animated illustration of a thinking emoji scratching its chin before changing into a nauseous emoji. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

The state reported 50 additional cyclosporiasis cases from Thursday to Monday, and the majority were in Benton County.

By the numbers: The most recent data from the Arkansas Department of Health show that the state has had 173 cases of the diarrhea-inducing illness, up from 123. Benton County's case count increased from 75 to 108, making it by far the most affected county in the state.

Washington County had 17 cases.

The latest: Generally, health experts don't consider cyclosporiasis to be life-threatening, but two people in Michigan with "significant underlying health conditions" have died in connection with the outbreak, Axios' Herb Scribner writes.

Weeks into the national crisis that's sickened thousands of people, federal authorities still don't know for certain where it's coming from or why.

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Cyclosporiasis spread continues

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