Health officials in Michigan report an alarming surge in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness causing explosive watery diarrhea, with nearly 700 cases as of Monday, up from 170 just six days earlier. This marks a dramatic increase from the state's average annual caseload of 50, according to ABC News.
CDC and FDA Investigate Multistate Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 400 cases across 18 states as of Friday, working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the clusters. The CDC noted that the true number of cases is likely higher, as many recover without seeking medical care or testing.
Cyclosporiasis is rarely life-threatening, with no deaths reported in the current outbreak. However, symptoms include cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and vomiting. The CDC states that "watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements" is the most common symptom.
Transmission and Previous Outbreaks
The parasite cyclospora spreads through raw produce and water contaminated with human feces. Previous outbreaks have been linked to fresh fruit and vegetables; for instance, a 2022 Florida outbreak from contaminated lettuce in packaged salad kits sickened hundreds. The incubation period averages one week but can range from two days to two weeks, and person-to-person transmission is rare.
Dr Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, told ABC: "There is a significant lag time between exposure to contaminated produce or contaminated materials and development of symptoms." She described the 678 cases as "a moving target."
Rising Cases in Ohio and Other States
Ohio reported 177 cases as of July 2, with 171 since June 20. The CDC said no link has been established between Michigan clusters, notably in the southeast including Detroit, and outbreaks in other states. As of July 1, 20 people were hospitalized across 17 states. The CDC notes a traditional rise in cases during summer, defining a "cyclosporiasis season" from May 1 to August 31.
Health officials recommend cooking fresh produce where possible or thoroughly washing it in clean, running water to reduce infection risk.
