Cyclosporiasis outbreak sickens thousands across 30+ states

A significant outbreak of the parasitic intestinal illness cyclosporiasis has sickened thousands of people across the United States this summer, with federal and state health officials investigating one of the nation's largest such outbreaks in recent years. The illness, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, is typically spread through contaminated fresh produce or water and causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including frequent and sometimes explosive watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

As of July 13, the outbreak spans more than 30 states. Michigan has been the hardest hit, with state health officials reporting over 1,500 cases since late June, a figure they describe as roughly 25 times the state's typical annual caseload. Neighboring Ohio has also reported over a thousand cases, and New York has recorded several hundred. The national picture, however, shows a discrepancy between state and federal counts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 843 confirmed domestically acquired cases across 31 states as of July 10, with 86 hospitalizations. The agency acknowledges this number is an undercount, noting it is aware of...