Michigan’s outbreak of cyclosporiasis has surpassed 10,000 reported cases, marking another milestone in what state health officials say is the largest outbreak of the intestinal illness ever recorded in the state.
As of Friday, July 31, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported 10,773 cases, an increase of 387 cases from the previous day. The outbreak has resulted in 193 hospitalizations, although no deaths have been reported. Health officials continue to investigate the source of the infections while urging residents to take precautions with fresh produce.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which spreads through food or water contaminated with human fecal matter. Typically, Michigan deals with about 50 cases per year. Symptoms typically include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Illness can last for weeks if left untreated.
The outbreak was first identified in late June after more than 170 cases were reported across several southeast Michigan counties, including Wayne, Washtenaw, Monroe, Lenawee, Livingston, Jackson and Shiawassee. Michigan typically records about 50 cyclosporiasis cases during an entire year.
Wayne County has remained one of the areas with the highest number of reported infections since the outbreak began, with nearly 1,400 reported cases as of the end of July.
Early in the investigation, Wayne County health officials said they were tracking dozens of potential cases as the illness spread across southeast Michigan. As case counts climbed statewide, state officials continued to identify Wayne County among the counties with the greatest number of infections.
The outbreak has had a significant impact on public health agencies across metro Detroit. Local health departments have devoted staff to interviewing patients, identifying foods consumed before illness and working with state and federal investigators to trace potential sources of contamination. Investigators have continued conducting case interviews as new reports arrive daily.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating several outbreaks linked to fresh produce. One major investigation has connected illnesses in multiple states to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. Michigan officials have also said additional sources may be contributing to the state’s unusually large number of cases because not every patient reported eating the same foods before becoming sick.
State health officials continue advising residents to wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them, although experts note that the parasite can be difficult to remove because it adheres to produce and is resistant to many disinfectants. Cooking produce to appropriate temperatures is considered the most effective way to kill the parasite.
Medical providers are also encouraging patients experiencing prolonged diarrhea lasting several days to seek medical care. Diagnosis requires a specific laboratory test because routine stool testing does not always detect Cyclospora. The illness can be treated with prescription antibiotics once it is identified.
The outbreak has expanded rapidly over the past month. Michigan reported fewer than 600 cases during the first week of July before the total climbed to nearly 1,000, then exceeded 3,300 by mid-July. The statewide total crossed the 10,000 mark last week and continues to increase as additional reports are confirmed by public health officials.
MDHHS continues updating case counts as laboratories report new infections and investigators monitor the outbreak across Michigan. Health officials are asking anyone who develops symptoms after eating fresh produce to contact a healthcare provider and cooperate with public health interviews to help identify the source of the outbreak.
