Michigan reports rapidly rising cyclosporiasis cases as CDC investigates outbreak source

The CDC has reported a spread of a parasitic infection that causes diarrhea across 17 states, with a large cluster in Michigan. Image Credit: Catherine McQueen/Getty The CDC is raising concerns about the spread of a parasite that can cause explosive diarrhea.  Cyclosporiasis is typically spread through contaminated food or water.  The CDC reported 145 cases across 17 states between May 1 and June 16. The FDA is working with the CDC to identify the potential sources of the parasitic infection.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned of an increase in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that can cause watery, often explosive diarrhea, among other symptoms. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis typically begin within 7 days of exposure to the parasite.  “CDC routinely tracks cyclosporiasis as part of ongoing surveillance; cases typically increase in the spring and summer months. Jurisdictions have reported an uptick in cases in the past several weeks. CDC is working with partners to investigate this increase,” a CDC spokesperson told Healthline. The CDC reported 145 cases of cyclosporiasis and 20 hospitalizations between May 1 and June 16. However, more recently, a large, sudden cluster of cases has emerged in Michigan.  A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) told Healthline that as of July 2, the state had identified 300 cases. Typically, Michigan identifies only about 50 cases of cyclosporiasis per year. “MDHHS is working with [the] local health department in southeast Michigan to investigate [the] large and growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness, to identify a common exposure,” said the DHHS spokesperson. “The department is coordinating the multi-jurisdictional investigation, assisting in case interviews, and sharing information with the CDC and MDARD [Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development]. At this time, the source or sources have not yet been identified.”  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC are also currently working to identify the potential sources of the outbreak across 17 states. So far, the reported cases have not been linked to a single common source.  Seventeen states have been affected by the spread of cyclosporiasis As of June 16, 17 states had been affected by the increased spread of cyclosporiasis. These included:  Alaska Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Louisiana Massachusetts New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Virginia Wisconsin At the time of the report, New York had reported the highest number of cases. However, the CDC noted that the number was likely higher than what was reported. The organization also stated that the infection cases may not be limited to these 17 states with known cases.  This information did not include the sudden surge in cases in Michigan that occurred at the end of June.  Individuals who reported being unwell with the infection ranged from 5 to 86 years old, with an average age of 42. Approximately 61% of cases have been seen in females.  Those who were diagnosed with cyclosporiasis became ill after eating food in the United States. They did not report any travel in the 14 days preceding the onset of symptoms.  While there have been reports of hospitalizations from the infection, as of the CDC report, there have been no reports of death.  Symptoms and treatment for cyclosporiasis While the main symptom of the infection is watery and often explosive diarrhea, other symptoms may include:  abdominal cramping nausea bloating headache loss of appetite “The illness, untreated, can last for weeks, often in an on-and-off pattern.  The major hazard is dehydration, which can cause problems for patients at the extremes of age, those with chronic medical conditions, and persons who are immunocompromised,” William Schaffner, MD, professor of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University, told Healthline.  Treatment for cyclosporiasis typically includes a selection of antibiotics.  How cyclosporiasis spreads and how to prevent it The parasite that causes cyclosporiasis generally spreads when you eat food that is already contaminated with feces.  It takes 1 to 2 weeks outside of the body for Cyclospora to become infectious after passing in a bowel movement. Because of this, transmission from person to person is unlikely.  It is not fully known how Cyclospora gets into food and water. The best way to prevent the infection is to avoid eating contaminated foods and drinking contaminated water.  “In recent years, outbreaks have occurred in the U.S. as a result of eating contaminated fresh produce, especially during the summer months,” said the DHHS spokesperson.  Practicing safe food handling can help avoid contamination. This includes:  Washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling and preparing raw fruits and vegetables.  Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before cutting, cooking, or eating.  Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, like melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing and eating.  Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, but within 2 hours.

More than 22,000 cases of the food-borne illness cyclosporiasis have been reported across 45 states. Adrienne Walling, prevention specialist for the Washtenaw County Health Department in Michigan, joins CBS News to discuss.

Shit Out Of Luck: 2 Dead In Outbreak Of Diarrhea-Causing Parasite: Officials Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times, Michigan authorities on Aug. 3 said two deaths are linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the state, the first time cyclosporiasis-associated deaths have been reported since outbreaks began in the spring. A farmer washes lettuce in a backyard urban farm in Los Angeles, on March 25, 2020. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images "Two deaths have been identified as part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting Michigan," the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. "According to medical records, both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. No additional information will be provided on these two cases." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In its latest update on cyclosporiasis, the CDC said on July 28 that it had received no reports of deaths from states. The CDC said that 45 states have reported 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases since May 1 that were acquired domestically, that patients ranged in age from 1 to 98, and that the median illness onset date was July 2. More than 11,000 other cases are pending lab testing or further investigation. The CDC is not counting cases related to international travel. The outbreak affecting Michigan has also impacted eight other states, federal officials said in July. Iceberg lettuce from Mexico is believed to be a cause of the outbreak. The other states are Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Michigan has recorded 11,234 cases in recent months, including 193 hospitalizations. Indiana has recorded 1,285 cases. Kansas has reported 461 cases and 20 hospitalizations. Ohio has recorded about 20,000 cases. Oklahoma has reported 298 cases and 18 hospitalizations, and West Virginia has reported 268 cases and 19 hospitalizations. Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite called Cyclospora that is present in produce contaminated with feces. Past outbreaks have been caused by produce such as salad greens, raspberries, and cilantro. The disease's main symptom is diarrhea. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain and vomiting. Tyler Durden Tue, 08/04/2026 - 09:00

The first deaths from the cyclosporiasis “explosive diarrhea” outbreak have been reported after two Michigan residents died after contracting the food-borne illness. Both patients, who are yet to be identified, had “significant underlying health conditions,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Food and Drug Administration believes the outbreak came from tainted iceberg...

These deaths were reported by Michigan, which has seen more than 11,000 cases of cyclosporiasis emerge since late June

Several states, including Michigan and Ohio, have reported a significant number of new cases of cyclosporiasis in recent days.