By Ari’ Browley
A parasitic infection that once caused a handful of cases annually is now slamming 31 states with an illness linked to contaminated food and water. As of Friday, July 10, reported cases have climbed to nearly 3,000 nationwide, with Michigan accounting for 1,562 of those cases. The illness’s rapid growth and explosive symptoms have made the outbreak impossible to ignore.
Here’s what we know so far about the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the unicellular parasite (a living thing that lives inside another organism) Cyclospora cayetanensis. While researchers have not officially identified the outbreak’s official source, it’s confirmed to be a foodborne illness caused by water and fresh produce contaminated by fecal matter.
Although cyclosporiasis is not life-threatening, its symptoms can be extreme.
According to the Michigan Health and Human Services, cyclosporiasis’ symptoms can span from nausea, loss of appetite, and a low-grade fever to watery and explosive diarrhea, a symptom the outbreak is becoming notorious for.
For prevention, health professionals are urging people to engage in proper food handling and washing procedures, as well as avoiding certain fruits and vegetables that are difficult to thoroughly clean. Prevention tips by the CDC are available here.
Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, who expects to see more spikes in the infection, guides Michiganders on what to do amid the outbreak.
“Based on the unusual number of cases we have identified in a little over a week, we anticipate additional cases of illness being reported,” Bagdasarian said. “We recommend Michiganders contact their health care provider if they experience sudden, ongoing diarrhea and reach out to their local health department if additional members of their family are suffering from the same symptoms.”
Bagdasarian’s warning highlights the illness’s concerning level of growth in Michigan. The 170 cases reported on June 30 grew to 1,562 cases by July 10, with 44 hospitalized from their conditions.
Michigan residents may be taking the brunt, but they are not the only people facing the intense ordeal. ABC News’ Dr. Darien Sutton shared alarming patterns researchers are seeing in other states.
“What the difference is this year–because we have seen it (cyclosporiasis) before. Since 2019, we have been tracking this,” Sutton said. “In Michigan and other states, they have been seeing increasing numbers compared to last year. Michigan, ten times as many cases as we saw last year on a typical annual basis. Here in New York, twice as many cases than we typically see. And at least 17 other states are seeing rising numbers.”
As research teams work diligently to contain the outbreak and investigate its increasing cases, the best thing people can do is stay aware and cautious. For more information about the cyclosporiasis outbreak and how to avoid getting infected, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Michigan Health and Human Services.
