A quickly spreading outbreak of cyclosporiasis has infected nearly 1,000 people across Michigan, with state health officials reporting the case count has surged to nearly 20 times the state's typical annual total.
As of July 8, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recorded 992 confirmed cases of the parasitic intestinal illness since the outbreak investigation period began on June 22, a spokesperson for the department told NTD News. The department also reported 36 hospitalizations tied to the outbreak as of July 6.
Despite the scale of the outbreak, no specific food source, grower, or supplier has been pinpointed as the cause. "At this time, no specific produce grower, supplier, or type of produce has been identified as the source," MDHHS spokesperson Laina Stebbins said in her statement to NTD News on Wednesday.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite, Cyclospora cayatenensis, which is commonly found in developing countries and typically spreads through food or water contaminated with feces. In recent years, U.S. outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of contaminated fresh produce, especially during summer months. The illness does not spread person to person.
Given that several foods have historically been linked to Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada—including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions—the healthy agency issued specific handling guidance for restaurants and commercial kitchens in Southeast Michigan.
Officials have recommended purchasing whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed bagged varieties, removing the outer two to three leaves and rinsing the rest under running water, and cooking leafy greens when possible. For raspberries, whose uneven surface makes the parasite difficult to remove, officials suggested using cooked or frozen raspberries as alternatives, noting that while freezing may reduce the parasite's presence, it does not eliminate it.
Heating food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit or higher kills Cyclospora, and all fresh produce should be washed under clean running water even when it is to be peeled. Exercising caution is especially important for people with compromised immune systems, including chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients, infants, young children, and the elderly.
Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics, combined with rest and drinking extra fluids to prevent dehydration.