What to know about the cyclosporiasis outbreak hitting more than half of U.S. states
Federal health authorities are investigating a widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, which has affected 31 states. While no deaths have been reported, the CDC notes that case numbers are likely underreported and typically rise during the spring and summer months.
Why it matters
Cyclosporiasis outbreaks highlight ongoing food safety risks and the importance of public health monitoring for foodborne illnesses linked to fresh produce.
An outbreak of an intestinal illness that causes diarrhea, nausea and fatigue has been detected in 31 states, according to federal health authorities, but the source is still under investigation.
As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it had received reports of 843 cases of cyclosporiasis, the gastrointestinal affliction caused by the parasite Cyclospora .
But the true number of infections is likely much higher, because that figure only represents cases reported by states directly to the CDC. There is also a lag between symptom onset and reporting, and many people recover from the illness without medical treatment. Michigan alone reported 1,562 cyclosporiasis cases as of Friday.
According to the CDC, as of Thursday, there had been been 86 hospitalizations nationwide and no deaths.
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