More than 1,000 people have been sickened in a growing outbreak of Cyclospora infections across the United States, with dozens requiring hospital treatment as health officials work to identify the source of the foodborne parasite.
According to health authorities, multiple states have reported cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Although infections typically increase during the spring and summer months, the current outbreak is among the largest recorded in recent years.
Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported in Michigan
Michigan has emerged as the centre of the outbreak, reporting approximately 992 confirmed infections and 40 hospitalisations as of Wednesday. Most cases have been concentrated in the southeastern part of the state.
For comparison, Michigan typically records only around 50 Cyclospora cases annually, highlighting the unusual scale of the current outbreak.
No deaths have been reported.
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects the intestines and causes an illness known as cyclosporiasis. Common symptoms include watery diarrhoea, bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, fever and fatigue.
Symptoms can appear up to two weeks after exposure and may persist for as long as two months if left untreated. The infection is generally treated successfully with antibiotics.
Likely Linked to Fresh Produce
The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with human faeces rather than through direct person-to-person contact.
Previous outbreaks have been associated with fresh produce irrigated or washed with contaminated water, particularly berries, leafy greens and herbs. Experts believe the current outbreak is likely linked to imported fruits or vegetables from regions including Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia or Africa, although the exact source has not yet been identified.
No Canadian Outbreak Reported
Canada’s Public Health Agency said it is not currently investigating any Cyclospora outbreaks and noted that the parasite is not commonly found in Canadian food or drinking water.
Health experts say Cyclospora infections remain less common than illnesses caused by Salmonella or E. coli, although outbreaks have become more frequent over the past decade. Researchers attribute the increase to a combination of climate change, global food supply chains and improved disease surveillance.
