The number of cyclosporiasis cases increased from several dozen nationwide in June to more than 1,000 in Michigan alone.
By Adam Kovac edited by Claire Cameron
A photomicrograph of a fresh stool sample, prepared using 10 percent formalin solution and stained with a modified acid-fast dye, revealed the presence of four Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in the field of vision.
CDC/DPDx–Mélanie Moser
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Cases of an intestinal parasite that can cause explosive diarrhea soar in the United States
By June, only a few dozen cases of cyclosporiasis had been reported nationwide, but by July 9, the number of cases of the disease in Michigan alone stood at 1,251, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Cyclosporiasis is a disease caused by a parasite single-celled life form called Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can be spread through food or water. The disease is usually not life-threatening, but cyclospora infection can lead to severe diarrhea and “sometimes explosive stools.” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The CDC has not updated its data on number of cyclosporosis cases nationally since June 16. At that time, 145 cases had been reported since May. The cases were located in 17 states, including none in Michigan at that time. The state health department reported 170 cases as of June 30, and that number has continued to rise.
In a statement released July 4, Michigan officials said no specific fresh produce supplier has been linked to the outbreak. When reached for comment, officials declined to add anything to the statement.
In the release, Michigan advised residents and restaurants in the southeastern part of the state to take a number of steps to prevent the spread of the disease. This included purchasing whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed bags or salad mixes. When preparing lettuce, the state recommends discarding the outer two or three layers of leaves and washing the rest of the lettuce under running water. Officials also recommended washing leafy vegetables and herbs such as coriander and basil, as well as snow peas, before using, removing the outer layer of scallions and avoiding fresh, uncooked raspberries.
Michigan is not the only state recently affected: since May 1, New York has detected 394 cases, including 273 in New York. This is an increase from the 31 to 80 cases reported in the state by the CDC as of June 16.
A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health said no evidence has been found that the various outbreaks in the United States are linked to any particular source. They added that incidents of cyclosporiasis often increase in the spring and summer and the current number of cases in the state do not deviate significantly from past years.
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