Michigan cyclosporiasis cases rise, Northern Michigan also affected

Michigan’s cyclosporiasis count climbed to 1,251 reported cases by July 9, with 44 hospitalizations. The outbreak had reached Northern Michigan as summer produce moves through local kitchens and markets.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the growing outbreak on July 1, after more than 170 cases surfaced in the previous nine days across Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Livingston, Shiawassee and Jackson counties. Michigan typically identifies around 50 cyclosporiasis cases in a year.

Investigators still had not identified a specific produce grower, supplier or produce type as the source as of July 5. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, not from person to person. Symptoms can begin 2 to 14 days after exposure and, if untreated, can last for weeks or longer. The illness has repeatedly been linked in U.S. outbreaks to imported fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive: outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been occurring across the United States, and the unusually high number of cases in Michigan means more illnesses will likely be reported. MDHHS case counts are provisional and may change as additional reports come in.

For shoppers and home cooks, the immediate protection is basic but important: wash produce thoroughly before eating it and wash hands carefully while handling food. MDARD is working with local health departments to identify the source and urges residents to keep up those habits while the investigation continues. People with sudden, ongoing diarrhea should seek medical care.

In Grand Traverse County and the rest of its four-county service area, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan investigates reported communicable diseases to identify or prevent outbreaks, provide treatment and control the spread of disease, and it urges residents and providers to report suspected cases quickly.