Michigan Health Officials Identify Possible Cyclosporiasis Source
Health officials in Michigan announced on Monday that they may have pinpointed a potential source for a cyclosporiasis outbreak, an illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, which is transmitted through contaminated food and water. They noted, “Current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak.” However, they stressed that this finding is not definitive, and other food items could still be involved. No specific grower or supplier has been identified yet.
As of Monday evening, Michigan officials reported 2,640 cases and 44 hospitalizations. This marks a 69 percent increase in cases compared to those reported just last Friday, making it the highest number of cases recorded in a single year for the state. Typically, Michigan sees only 40 to 50 cases annually.
While Michigan currently leads the nation in cyclospora infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that other states such as New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky are also seeing higher-than-normal case numbers. According to the CDC’s latest data, there have been at least 843 confirmed illnesses across 31 states, along with 86 hospitalizations.
Health experts believe the CDC’s numbers may actually be an underestimate, as it often takes time for states to report cases and for the agency to validate them. Independent reports, including one from The New York Times, have confirmed at least 4,800 cyclospora cases this year alone. Since 2016, the CDC has reported roughly 2,800 cases annually across the nation.
This year is “on track to be the biggest year on record” for cyclosporiasis in the U.S., according to Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who is tracking the situation.
Notably, lettuce and salad mixes, along with various fresh produce like raspberries, basil, cilantro, fruit mixes, snow peas, and snap peas, have been linked to past cyclospora outbreaks. A significant outbreak in 2020 connected to Fresh Express bagged salads made headlines, affecting 701 people across 14 states. Another incident in Florida in 2022 was tied to bagged salads, including Caesar salad kits with romaine lettuce.
Considering the links to lettuce and the emerging signs of illness in Michigan, health officials have advised on safe practices for cleaning greens. Rather than purchasing bagged or pre-mixed salads, they recommend using whole heads of lettuce, removing the outer leaves, and thoroughly washing the inner ones under running water.
Additionally, they urged individuals to wash other fresh produce under running water. Although washing won’t eliminate the parasite completely, it can reduce its presence and thus the risk of illness. Health officials also suggested peeling produce that has removable skin and cooking items to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature sufficient to kill the parasite.
Infections caused by cyclospora lead to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, loss of appetite, cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue. While serious complications are uncommon, symptoms can persist for months if untreated.
The CDC recommends that anyone experiencing these symptoms consult a healthcare provider for testing and treatment, as cyclosporiasis is treatable with antibiotics.
