Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Reaches 31 States With 843 Confirmed Cases and No Deaths

An outbreak of cyclosporiasis has reached 31 U.S. states, with 843 confirmed cases logged between May 1 and July 9. The CDC stated on July 10 that it was tracking more than 1,500 additional suspected cases still awaiting laboratory confirmation.

Eighty-six people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Michigan recorded more than 1,000 diagnoses in the two-week period ending July 10. New York reported nearly 300 cases as of July 8, Illinois reported 141 cases as of July 7, and Ohio reported 177 cases in its most recent update.

All infected individuals became ill after eating food inside the United States and reported no international travel in the 14 days before symptom onset. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. Infection occurs through consumption of contaminated food or water.

Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure and include frequent, watery, and explosive diarrhea that can last from several days to more than a month if untreated and may recur. Person-to-person transmission does not occur. Dr.

Caitlin Rivers of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security stated that spread happens exclusively through the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or water. No specific produce type, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source of the current outbreak.

Michigan health officials recommended that restaurants and kitchens wash greens thoroughly, cook raspberries and leafy greens when possible, and remove outer layers of lettuce and green onions.

The CDC continues to advise rinsing produce despite limited evidence of its effectiveness. Individuals experiencing diarrhea have been urged to contact a health provider and request testing for the parasite.