Michigan health agencies investigate surge in cyclosporiasis cases

Over the past nine days, a cluster of cyclosporiasis cases in Monroe County expanded to more than 170 confirmed infections across at least seven Michigan counties, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The agencies are investigating the source of the outbreak, which includes 70 cases in Monroe, 33 in Lenawee, 21 in Washtenaw, 12 in Wayne, seven each in Shiawassee and Jackson, and seven in Livingston, with additional cases reported in 11 other counties, including Detroit. Michigan typically records about 50 cases of the intestinal parasite each year.

Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite that causes the illness, spreads through food or water contaminated with feces and is not transmitted person-to-person. Symptoms can include diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, nausea, and low-grade fever, appearing two to 14 days after exposure. The infection can last from several days to over a month if untreated, but antibiotics can significantly reduce symptoms.

"Based on the unusual number of cases we have identified in a little over a week, we anticipate additional cases of illness being reported," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state. "We recommend Michiganders contact their health care provider if they experience sudden, ongoing diarrhea and reach out to their local health department if additional members of their family are suffering from the same symptoms."

The affected individuals range in age from 8 to 84, with a median age of 41. While the specific source of the Michigan outbreak remains unknown, officials advise residents to follow standard food safety practices, such as washing hands before and after handling food and thoroughly rinsing produce before consumption.