CDC reports 6,707 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 45 states
The CDC said laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis infections have risen to 6,707 since May 1, with outbreaks now documented in 45 states and the largest cluster linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday that 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis have been recorded since May 1, a rise of more than 2,500 from the previous weekly update. The infections are now reported in 45 states, up from 41 a week earlier, and have resulted in 423 hospitalizations but no deaths.
Federal investigators are examining multiple outbreak sources. The most extensive cluster, centered in Michigan, has been tied to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico, prompting the company to issue a recall on July 17. Michigan alone reported over 10,000 cases, although those figures have not yet been verified by the CDC.
"Cyclosporiasis cases may not be limited to these states with known cases," the CDC noted, adding that the true number of illnesses is likely higher because some individuals recover without seeking medical care.
The CDC’s count includes only lab-confirmed cases in people without recent international travel and typically lags state reports by several weeks. Additional unconfirmed cases, primarily in Michigan and Ohio, exceed 11,500.
Health officials have identified related cases in nine states—Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia—through genetic testing of the parasite. Other clusters remain under investigation with no common source identified.
Cyclosporiasis, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, produces watery, often explosive diarrhea along with nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fatigue and fever. While rarely fatal, it can be more severe for individuals with weakened immune systems.