CDC Reports Nearly 7,000 Possible Cyclosporiasis Cases Across 34 States, No Deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that nearly 7,000 people nationwide may have cyclosporiasis. The agency has confirmed 1,645 illnesses across at least 34 states, with another 5,100 cases under investigation. Michigan has recorded 3,309 confirmed cases, the largest share of any state.

New York City has recorded 403 cases, 374 of them between May and July 10. The CDC suspects at least 400 cases in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia are linked. One hundred forty-one people have been hospitalized since cases began appearing in May.

No deaths have been reported. Michigan health officials reached their conclusions after more than 1,000 interviews with people who tested positive. The interviews pointed to lettuce or salad greens as possible sources.

Officials have not identified a supplier or distribution network. Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, said the contamination likely occurred where the produce was grown or processed.

“We know that contamination usually occurs where the produce was grown or processed, and because distributors supply the same produce to multiple types of establishments, it’s unlikely for there to be one single place as the exposure for all of our cases,” she said.

Nationally, no single product, restaurant, grocer or distributor has been named as the source, and no recalls have been issued. The Food and Drug Administration launched an investigation last week.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora, which spreads to produce through contaminated water or unsafe handling. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea that can last weeks if untreated.