Michigan health officials list produce linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak

The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan rose to 572 over the weekend, up from 170 earlier in the week, according to the state health department. The outbreak, part of a broader U.S. surge, has been most concentrated in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston counties.

While investigators have not yet identified a specific grower, supplier or type of produce as the source of the current southeast Michigan cases, officials released a list of foods that have been linked to previous Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada. The items include bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.

Health officials advise consumers to take extra precautions when handling these raw foods. For lettuce and other leafy greens, they recommend buying whole heads, discarding the outer layers and washing the inner leaves under running water, or cooking the greens when possible. Cilantro, basil, snow peas and green onions should be thoroughly rinsed, and cooking is considered the safest option. Raspberries, whose uneven surface can trap the parasite, are best consumed cooked or using frozen varieties, though freezing does not guarantee elimination.

Cyclosporiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, typically spread through food or water contaminated with feces. Symptoms, which appear two to 14 days after exposure, include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and low-grade fever, and can persist for weeks without treatment. Health providers can prescribe an antibiotic to alleviate the condition, and individuals experiencing persistent diarrhea are urged to contact their healthcare provider and local health department.