Cyclosporiasis cases rise, now reported in 45 states

Key Points:

• Cyclosporiasis cases in the U.S. have surged to 6,707 laboratory-confirmed infections across 45 states since May 1, with more than 11,500 additional suspected cases primarily in Michigan and Ohio pending confirmation, according to the CDC's July 28 update.
• The largest outbreak centers on Michigan, which reported over 10,000 cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico, affecting nine states and prompting a recall on July 17.
• Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms like watery diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, typically spread through contaminated food or water; while rarely fatal, it can be serious for immunocompromised individuals.
• Multiple separate outbreaks are under investigation by federal health authorities, but tracking is complicated by the parasite's long incubation period and limited genetic tracing capabilities compared to other foodborne pathogens.
• Critics have raised concerns that recent cuts to CDC foodborne illness monitoring programs may have hindered outbreak detection and response, while Mexican officials dispute the FDA's assertion that the outbreak originated from produce grown in Mexico.