Michigan cyclosporiasis cases near 700 as outbreak spreads across multiple counties

State health officials reported that a cyclosporiasis outbreak has infected nearly 700 people in Michigan, up from about 170 cases a week earlier. The rapid increase is affecting residents of Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland, Livingston and Monroe counties, the latter identified as a hotspot.

The agency’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, said the surge complicates efforts to trace the source, but investigators continue to suspect contaminated fresh produce. She noted that the national food distribution system, which often involves multiple states for growing, processing and packaging, adds difficulty to pinpointing a specific product or brand.

Patients have reported severe abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, and frequent watery or explosive diarrhea, with symptoms appearing up to two weeks after exposure. Health officials advise consumers to remove outer lettuce layers, wash produce thoroughly and cook foods to at least 158°F (70°C) to kill the parasite. Guidelines are being prepared for licensed health-care providers as case numbers rise.

One Monroe County resident, Haley Hompstead, said her symptoms began on July 3 and described intense abdominal pain and a ten-pound weight loss within days. She mentioned eating a bagged broccoli/coleslaw mix and fresh strawberries before falling ill and expressed concern about accessing the recommended antibiotic treatment.