Alabama health officials are urging residents to stay alert for Cyclospora infections, rabies exposure, and mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses this summer.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has issued a series of summer health alerts reminding residents and healthcare providers to remain vigilant about seasonal health threats, including Cyclospora infections, rabies, and illnesses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. The department says warmer weather and increased outdoor activity can increase exposure to foodborne and vector-borne diseases (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Alabama Department of Public Health – Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks:
).
Health officials also reported 11 confirmed Cyclospora cases in Alabama as of July 15, 2026. Two cases were linked to international travel, and one was associated with a foodborne outbreak. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported.
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What Is Behind the Rise in Cyclospora Cases?
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora. Infection occurs when people consume food or water contaminated with the parasite. Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Person-to-person transmission is uncommon. Past outbreaks have been linked to contaminated fresh produce, including cilantro, basil, leafy greens, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommends that healthcare providers test patients with prolonged or relapsing watery diarrhea for cyclosporiasis, especially during cyclosporiasis season (May–August), even without a history of international travel. Clinicians should specifically request diagnostic testing for Cyclospora when clinically suspected.
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How Can People Protect Themselves From Tick and Mosquito Bites?
The Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division has the DETECT, TEST and REPORT Notifiable Diseases awareness campaign to determine Alabama’s true disease burden. For healthcare providers interested in Ebola or other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, see High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID). Physicians, dentists, nurses, medical examiners, hospital administrators, nursing home administrators, lab directors, school principals, and day care directors are responsible for reporting Notifiable Diseases in Alabama.
In Alabama, ticks can cause anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, and tularemia. Many tickborne diseases have similar signs and symptoms, which include fever/chills, aches and pains, and rash.
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Why Is Rabies Awareness Important During Summer?
Ticks survive by eating blood from humans and animals. Protect yourself from ticks year-round, but especially from April-September. Ticks live in wooded, bushy fields (high grass and leaf litter), and around homes, so avoid wooded and bushy areas. Walk in the center of trails. Use insect repellants that contain 20% or more DEET on exposed skin and permethrin on clothing.
The Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division’s mission is to protect the residents of Alabama and prevent illness by monitoring and investigating infectious (e.g., Salmonella, influenza, and hepatitis), zoonotic (e.g., rabies, spotted fever rickettsiosis, and West Nile fever), and environmental (e.g., Legionnaires’s disease, chemical and toxin) diseases, conditions, and exposures.
What Other Summer Health Threats Are Being Monitored?
After outdoor activity, bathe within 2 hours, conduct full-body check with mirror, and inspect children, pets, clothing, and outdoor gear, such as backpacks. Tumble dry clothes on high heat setting one hour to kill missed ticks.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so emptying or covering sources of standing water, such as planters, birdbaths and clogged gutters, can limit the number of mosquitoes around the home. West Nile is also only one of many vector borne diseases that circulate this time of year. So preventing mosquito bites goes a long way in preventing a multitude of infectious diseases.
Reference:
- Alabama Department of Public Health – Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks: – (https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/)
Source-Medindia