What we know about cyclosporiasis cases in CT, plus a look at air quality

By Tess Terrible,

Published July 28, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT

A customer shops for cilantro at a Walmart Supercenter on July 23, 2026 in Austin, Texas. The cyclosporiasis outbreak, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has spread across multiple states and remains under investigation by federal health officials after the first known illness onset was reported in early May.

In the last month we have seen a flurry of warnings that lettuce might be infected with cyclosporiasis. To date, there have been over 60 cases here in Connecticut.

Wildfires from the west brought smoke to the East Coast, leading to air quality warnings and recommendations for residents to stay inside, if they can.

Today, we get updates on these public health situations, and hear what you need to do to stay well.

GUESTS:

Dr. Manisha Juthani: commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
Scott Dolch: President and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Connecticut State Senator Dr. Saud Anwar: East Hartford, South Windsor, East Windsor, and Ellington
Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, UConn Extension

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