CDC and States Investigate Rise in Cyclosporiasis Cases
Federal and state health officials are investigating a rise in cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection that can cause watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 145 cases and 20 hospitalizations in 17 states between May 1 and June 16, with no deaths reported at the time of its update.
A larger cluster has since been identified in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said the state had recorded 300 cases as of July 2, compared with about 50 cases in a typical year. Officials said they are working with local health departments in southeast Michigan, the CDC, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to identify any shared exposure.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite. Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure and may include diarrhea that can be prolonged if untreated. The infection is generally associated with consuming food or water contaminated with feces. Because the parasite typically needs one to two weeks outside the body to become infectious, person-to-person transmission is considered unlikely.
The CDC said cases reported earlier this season involved people ages 5 to 86, with an average age of 42. About 61% were female. Those affected reported becoming ill after eating food in the United States and did not report international travel in the two weeks before symptoms began. New York had the highest number of cases in the CDC’s June report, though officials said totals may be undercounted and infections may extend beyond the listed states.
The Food and Drug Administration and CDC have not identified a single source. Past U.S. outbreaks have often been linked to fresh produce, particularly in summer. Health officials advise washing hands, rinsing produce, scrubbing firm fruits and vegetables, removing damaged areas, and refrigerating cut or cooked produce promptly.