In response to concerns I have heard about the US cyclospora outbreak and the recent arrival of Canadian wildfire smoke, I am sharing the following information with you.
Cyclosporiasis:
The national outbreak of cyclosporiasis has been in the news. Unfortunately, the US CDC took this potentially severe disease off their tracking list last year, and the CDC is so understaffed that they are scrambling to get updated data, so it is difficult to really know the source, although one current subject of investigation is iceberg lettuce from a particular producer.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called cyclospora. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin about 1 week after exposure. Onset of symptoms can occur 2-14 days after being exposed. The most common symptoms include watery diarrhea, which can be frequent, along with loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Less common symptoms include low-grade fever and vomiting. Without treatment, symptoms can follow a remitting-relapsing course that can last from a few days to a month or longer. Illness can be severe, but is not usually life-threatening. If you have these symptoms and they don’t resolve quickly, please seek medical assistance.
The Maine CDC reports 2 documented cases as of July 14, 2026, which are not linked to the nationwide outbreak. It is probably wise to avoid prepared salad mixes and iceberg lettuce from supermarkets. It’s a great time to buy fruits and vegetables from all the wonderful local farms in our part of Maine. Regardless of where you buy your fruits and vegetables, you should always wash them before preparing or eating.
Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke
It seems that smoky July skies are becoming the norm here in Maine. The increasing heat and extreme weather caused by climate change are increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires in the western US and Canada, and the prevailing winds blow it our way.
The Maine DEP has a real-time map of air quality that is updated every hour. You can find it at this link
The air quality forecast, along with a chart containing recommendations dependent on the level of pollution, can be found here