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What to know about cyclosporiasis as Michigan health officials investigate 300+ cases in outbreak
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 • • general
Key Points:
- Over 300 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported within a week in Southeast Michigan, with health officials investigating the outbreak across multiple counties including Monroe, Lenawee, and Wayne.
- The number of cases surged from 170 on July 1 to over 300, significantly higher than the usual annual average of about 50 cases in Michigan.
- Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, typically spread through contaminated food or water, with symptoms including watery diarrhea that can last from days to over a month if untreated.
- Health authorities are working to identify the common source of exposure, emphasizing prevention measures such as washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and practicing proper food safety.
- The illness affects a wide age range (8 to 84 years old), and direct person-to-person transmission is considered unlikely due to the parasite's lifecycle outside the body.
