Cyclospora outbreak grows past 1,000 cases across 29 states
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis has grown to more than 1,000 confirmed cases spanning 29 states, health officials said, with the largest clusters in Michigan (992 cases as of midweek) and northwest Ohio (over 500, including 306 in Lucas County). Cases began appearing around June 22.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea. It is usually treatable with antibiotics and rarely life-threatening; no deaths have been reported and officials have not declared a national emergency. The source has not been identified, though the parasite historically spreads through fresh fruits and vegetables irrigated with contaminated water.
Because cyclospora cannot be rinsed off reliably and does not spread person to person, containment depends on tracing the contaminated food and pulling it from the supply chain — which is why an unidentified source is the outbreak’s central risk. Officials are advising consumers to buy whole lettuce heads rather than pre-washed products, discard outer leaves, and cook vegetables where practical.