Cyclospora parasite sickens 170-plus people in Michigan within nine days
More than 170 cyclosporiasis cases hit southeast Michigan in nine days, already above what the state normally logs in a full year. The CDC separately counts 145+ cases across 17 states since May. The outbreak source is still unidentified, with summer produce the usual culprit.
Southeast Michigan is dealing with a fast-moving parasite outbreak. Health officials have confirmed more than 170 cases of cyclosporiasis in just nine days across several counties, including Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne, Livingston, Shiawassee, Lenawee and Jackson. For context, Michigan typically records only around 50 cases in an entire year, so a single week has already overtaken a normal annual total. Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that brings on prolonged, often explosive watery diarrhea, along with cramping, fatigue and loss of appetite. Without antibiotic treatment the illness can persist for weeks and tends to relapse. The outbreak is not limited to Michigan. The CDC reports at least 145 cases across 17 states since the start of May, with New York, Illinois and Texas among the most affected. Investigators have not yet identified the source of the current cases. In previous US summers, cyclosporiasis has repeatedly been traced to contaminated fresh produce such as leafy greens, herbs and berries, which is why the unidentified food source is the central concern for public health teams right now. For anyone in affected areas, the practical point is simple: watch for persistent watery diarrhea that does not resolve on its own, and seek medical care, since the infection needs specific antibiotic treatment rather than the usual wait-it-out approach for a stomach bug. Reported by Michigan MDHHS and the CDC.