Cyclospora parasite outbreak spreads across US, Michigan hardest hit with nearly 700 cases
A microscopic parasite spread through contaminated fresh produce is fueling a fast-growing wave of cyclosporiasis across the United States this summer. Michigan has been hit hardest with nearly 700 cases, while Ohio, New York, Illinois and North Carolina each report over 100. The
Health officials across the United States are tracking a fast-growing wave of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. Michigan has reported nearly 700 cases by early July, Ohio more than 170, and New York, Illinois and North Carolina each over 100. The parasite spreads through contaminated fresh produce, not person to person. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, cramping, nausea and fatigue that can last for weeks if untreated. It is diagnosed with a stool test and treated with specific antibiotics, since it does not respond to the usual food-poisoning care. The federal case count lags well behind state totals, and the CDC says it has not yet linked the clusters to a single source. Sources: CNN, TODAY/NBC, ABC News, CDC surveillance, Michigan Dept. of Health.