Dozens hospitalized with cyclosporiasis as cases of gastrointestinal illness spike in 31 states

Key Points:

• Nearly 3,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne gastrointestinal illness causing severe diarrhea, have been reported across 31 U.S. states, with 86 hospitalizations and no deaths so far, according to the CDC.
• Michigan has been hardest hit with 1,562 cases, a significant increase from its usual 40-50 annual cases, prompting state labs to sequence the parasite's genome to identify a common source.
• Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite, typically linked to contaminated fresh produce such as cilantro, lettuce, and herbs, and symptoms usually appear about a week after consumption.
• Investigations are complicated by the delayed onset of symptoms and the common mixing of contaminated produce with other foods, making it difficult to trace the outbreak to specific food items; no product recalls have been issued yet.
• Health officials recommend thorough washing of fresh produce and cooking when possible to reduce risk, while experts emphasize maintaining consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables despite the outbreak.