Health officials are reporting a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak centered in Michigan, with more than 1,200 confirmed cases and at least 40 hospitalizations so far. Northwest Ohio counties have reported more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, and Texas has reported at least 48 cases. Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states. No deaths have been linked to this outbreak.
Public health agencies identified an uptick in mid-June and are racing to determine the source. This article lists current case counts and hotspots, explains the illness and symptoms, summarizes what investigators know, offers practical steps to reduce risk, and explains when to seek care.
Latest case numbers and locations
Michigan: More than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations have been reported, with many infections concentrated in southeastern Michigan. (See Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updates: MDHHS.)
Ohio: Northwest counties have seen more than 500 cases; Lucas County alone accounts for at least 306 diagnosed illnesses. (Local counts: Ohio Department of Health.)
Texas: At least 48 cases have been reported; federal pages tracking multi-state clusters note cases in several states. (CDC.)
Other states: Similar illnesses or linked cases have been reported in a total of 28 other states. Public health counts and hospitalization totals may change as investigations and case notifications continue.
What is cyclosporiasis and key symptoms
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The illness commonly causes watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can persist for weeks or months if untreated.
Other frequent symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. While some infections may resolve on their own, many cases require antibiotics; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people with symptoms to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment. The CDC also notes an outbreak season for Cyclospora from May 1 through Aug. 31, when warmer weather historically coincides with increased infections.
Where cases are concentrated and local notes
Most reported illnesses in this event are clustered in southeastern Michigan, with a notable cross-border impact in northwest Ohio. The Associated Press reported Michigan officials called this one of the state’s largest Cyclospora outbreaks to date; that characterization is from AP reporting, not an official federal determination.
State health departments have issued consumer guidance. In Michigan, officials have recommended avoiding pre-washed bagged lettuce when practical, buying whole heads or salad mixes instead and removing two to three outer leaves of head lettuce before washing. They also advise cooking vegetables when feasible.
What health agencies are investigating and what is known
The CDC first identified an uptick in mid-June and is coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state health departments to investigate several multi-state clusters. To date, agencies have not identified a common food or other source that explains the spread. (CDC overview: cdc.gov; FDA food-safety resources: fda.gov.)
Past Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to contaminated fruits or vegetables and, in some cases, to contaminated irrigation water; those possibilities remain under review but are not confirmed causes for this outbreak.
State health pages are posting local updates as new case counts arrive: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
How to reduce your risk now
While investigators work to identify a source, consumers can take practical steps to lower risk when buying or handling produce:
- Wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water. Washing may reduce but does not eliminate risk.
- Avoid pre-washed bagged lettuce when possible; consider buying whole heads or salad mixes and remove 2–3 outer leaves before washing a head of lettuce.
- Cook vegetables when feasible, especially those that may have been exposed to irrigation water or handled by many people.
- Practice good hand hygiene during food preparation, and clean kitchen surfaces and utensils properly.
These steps reflect general produce-safety advice and do not guarantee prevention, but they can lower exposure to many types of foodborne pathogens, including Cyclospora when contamination is present on produce.
Why it matters
Cyclosporiasis can cause prolonged, severe gastrointestinal illness and may put vulnerable people at higher risk of dehydration and complications. When a contaminated product affects a broad supply chain, many people can become sick before investigators identify and remove the source, so early awareness and prompt healthcare contact matter for both individual care and public-health response.
When to seek care and what to expect next
Contact a healthcare provider if you develop persistent, watery diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, high fever or signs of dehydration. Testing for Cyclospora requires specific laboratory methods; clinicians who suspect the infection can arrange appropriate tests and prescribe effective antibiotics when indicated.
If untreated, infections can last weeks or months. Public health case counts and hospitalization figures may change as additional illnesses are reported and test results are confirmed.
What comes next
Investigators will continue interviewing patients, tracing food histories and testing food and environmental samples. If a specific contaminated product or supply-chain link is identified, agencies may issue recalls or targeted advisories. The CDC and FDA will update findings as new evidence emerges; consumers should watch official state health and federal agency pages for confirmed guidance and recall notices.
Frequently asked questions
What happened with cyclosporiasis?
Health departments have reported a multistate cluster of Cyclospora infections centered in Michigan and northwest Ohio. Case counts exceed 1,200 in Michigan and more than 500 in parts of Ohio. Investigations are ongoing and no source has been confirmed.
Why does cyclosporiasis matter?
The infection can cause prolonged, severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It can last weeks or longer if untreated and often requires antibiotics; when many people are exposed through a contaminated food supply, the public-health impact can be large.
What happens next?
Public health investigators will continue interviews and laboratory testing to identify any common food items or other sources. Agencies will issue alerts, recalls or updated guidance if a specific source is confirmed.
Source: Reporting compiled from Fox News (original report) and updates from the CDC, the FDA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Ohio Department of Health. Original coverage: Fox News. We will update this story as state and federal agencies release new information and as case counts are revised.
