Parasitic Infection Outbreak Affecting Midwest Residents

A parasitic infection that leads to severe diarrhea is spreading across the Midwest, raising health concerns. The infection can be transmitted through tainted food and water, prompting health officials to issue warnings while they work to identify the source.

As investigations into the outbreak continue, health experts are advising residents to thoroughly wash fresh produce. Some types of produce might present a higher risk than others.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in June that 145 cases of cyclosporiasis had been confirmed in various states, including Illinois and Wisconsin.

Recently, Michigan health officials announced that over 100 cases have emerged in just nine days.

“We’ve seen cases of cyclosporiasis popping up in Michigan, which is concerning,” stated Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for Michigan Health and Human Services. “Given the unusual spike in cases recently, we expect more will be reported. If you experience unexpected, ongoing diarrhea, please consult your healthcare provider and inform your local health department if other family members are experiencing similar symptoms.”

The infections are attributed to cyclospora, described as “a single-celled parasite too small to see with the naked eye,” according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Cyclosporiasis is a type of food poisoning linked to this parasite.

Although it’s rarely life-threatening, the parasite infects individuals through contaminated food or water. Health officials note that cases tend to increase during the spring and summer seasons.

The parasite is spread by consuming food or drinking water infected with contaminated feces. It’s most commonly found in fresh produce like raspberries, snow peas, mesclun lettuce, basil, and cilantro, but it doesn’t spread from person to person.

“In recent years, many outbreaks have been traced back to eating contaminated fresh produce, especially in the summer,” warned the Michigan health department.

Dr. Sharon Welbel, an infectious diseases expert at Cook County Health, noted that certain fragile produce varieties are more susceptible to infections. “Common culprits have included herbs like garlic and cilantro, likely because they are challenging to wash thoroughly. Berries, especially raspberries, also pose a risk due to their delicate nature, along with mixed greens,” she explained.

Health officials are emphasizing the importance of food safety practices to minimize the risk of infection.

“We are committed to ensuring food safety within the state and are collaborating with local health departments to pinpoint the outbreak source and safeguard consumers,” stated Jennifer Bonsky from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It’s crucial to follow food preparation guidelines, such as washing your hands prior to cooking and cleaning produce before consumption.”

Bonsky, along with the health department, provided several recommendations:

• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
• Use a clean produce brush to scrub firm fruits and vegetables, like melons and cucumbers.
• Remove any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing or consuming them.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as quickly as possible.

Welbel suggested that delicate items like basil and cilantro should be soaked for a while to ensure they’re clean.

Current Status of U.S. Cases

As of June 16, the CDC reported a total of 190 confirmed cases, with 145 illnesses occurring in the U.S., while 45 cases involved individuals who had traveled abroad prior to getting sick.

The individuals sickened ranged from ages 5 to 86, with a majority being female. Illnesses reported occurred between May 1 and June 6. At least 20 required hospitalization, but no deaths have been recorded.

Local, state, and federal health authorities, including the CDC and FDA, are investigating multiple clusters across various states. Efforts to identify potential sources of the outbreak are ongoing, according to the CDC.

Over 17 states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, have reported cases of this parasitic infection, with Illinois having one of the highest numbers according to the CDC’s June update.

The Illinois Department of Public Health acknowledged awareness of the latest CDC figures and indicated that this is a peak season for this common pathogen.

The department will continue collaborating with local and federal partners to monitor domestic cases and identify potential sources.

Federal health officials have indicated that the confirmed case count may not fully reflect the true number of infections.

On July 1, Michigan health officials disclosed a recent surge in cases, with several health departments actively investigating a significant and escalating outbreak.

According to the Michigan Health and Human Services department, over 170 cases were reported in just nine days across seven counties, including Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Livingston, Shiawassee, and Jackson.

While it’s still unclear if all recently reported cases are related to the outbreak, investigations are underway to find a potential cause.

Here’s a breakdown of reported cases in Michigan as of Wednesday:

• Monroe: 70
• Lenawee: 33
• Washtenaw: 21
• Wayne: 12
• Jackson: 7
• Shiawassee: 7
• 24 cases across 11 other counties and the City of Detroit

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis

Symptoms may develop within days to weeks after ingesting contaminated food or water.

The most distinctive symptom is watery, or “explosive” diarrhea, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic, although other gastrointestinal issues may also arise.

“The primary symptom is explosive diarrhea, accompanied by bloating, cramping, and a loss of appetite,” Dr. Sharon Welbel noted. “Some individuals might experience a low-grade fever, but that’s relatively uncommon.”

Symptoms can include:

• Watery diarrhea (the most common symptom)
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue

Less frequent symptoms might involve vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms, as reported by the CDC.

Experts suggest that, compared to other gastrointestinal infections, cyclosporiasis has a longer duration of symptoms.

“The symptoms might be milder, but they persist for a longer time. In contrast, noroviruses hit hard and resolve quickly,” Dr. Irfan Hafiz, an infectious disease expert at Northwestern Medicine, stated.

The CDC also mentioned that without treatment, symptoms can last even longer or may return. “Symptoms can last from a few days to a month or longer without treatment, and some symptoms, like diarrhea, might go away and then return. Others, including fatigue, may linger even after the gastrointestinal symptoms have resolved,” noted the CDC.