As Cyclospora cayetanensis, a diarrhea-causing parasite, infects thousands in the Midwest and East Coast, California has yet to see any outbreaks. However, Berkeley residents can still take precautions, especially by washing and cooking produce instead of eating it raw. Since May 1, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show 10 or fewer reported cases of the parasite in California, compared to hundreds of cases in Michigan and New York. The California Department of Public Health said in a statement Tuesday that California has only seen 41 provisional cases from January to June of this year, down from 80 over the same period in 2025. Cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by cyclospora, induces watery diarrhea, as well as symptoms such as appetite and weight loss, cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue. The parasite can be contagious via feces of infected people, and past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been traced to contaminated fresh produce. Individuals carrying the parasit...