Arizona health officials confirmed 36 local Cyclospora cases and said they are not tied to the nationwide outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce.
Doctors warned that social media jokes about getting Cyclospora to lose weight are dangerous because the infection can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte loss and lengthy hospital stays.
CDC data show more than 4,000 cases and 308 hospitalizations across 41 states from May 1 to July 20, though no deaths have been reported.
Arizona officials said most state cases are linked to international travel and remain within normal yearly ranges, but one physician said underreporting could mask a local outbreak.
Federal investigators are still trying to identify the source of two recent outbreaks, while health officials advise cooking vegetables and avoiding recalled lettuce.