Forget the ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite — Salmonella is the stomach bug actually surging in Colorado
Jul 30, 2026, 9:16 AM
You’ve probably heard about the “explosive diarrhea parasite” making headlines across the country this summer. That’s cyclosporiasis, and yes, it’s in Colorado too. But the stomach bug that should actually have your attention right now is a more familiar name — and it’s spiking hard.
More than 250 salmonella cases have been reported in Colorado as of this week, which is more than double the state’s average July total over the past five years, according to Axios Denver. And unlike the cyclosporiasis situation — where state health officials have said the numbers are within normal seasonal ranges and most cases are linked to international travel — investigators have not identified a specific food source, restaurant, supplier or common connection behind the salmonella surge. That’s the part that should make you wash your hands twice.
Colorado is coordinating with the CDC and other public health agencies to try to pin down the source, and state health officials say they’ll update the public as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the standard salmonella precautions apply: Cook meat to proper temperatures, don’t cross-contaminate cutting boards, refrigerate leftovers promptly and wash your hands like you mean it. Salmonella symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting, and they usually show up within six hours to six days after exposure.
As for the other illness making the rounds — cyclosporiasis, the parasitic infection that has generated approximately 10,000 “explosive diarrhea” headlines nationally — Colorado has recorded 219 cases this year, with 79 since July 1. But about 79% of those infections are believed to have been contracted during international travel, and state officials say there’s no evidence the outbreak is linked to produce grown in Colorado.
Colorado’s digestive systems are under siege from two directions this summer. Wash your produce. Cook your chicken. And maybe give your gut a break from that gas station sushi for a few weeks.
