‘Explosive diarrhea’ parasite outbreak by state
(NewsNation) – Cases of the “explosive diarrhea” parasite cyclospora have been reported in more than 30 states. HKMMany Midwestern states are facing the brunt of the pandemic.
The states where the epidemic hit the hardest:
Michigan
Michigan has reported the most cases of any state. More than 5,000 cases have been reported so far as of Thursday, according to state data. Health and Human Services department. More than 100 people were hospitalized.
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The Detroit area is the state’s hot spot, with Wayne County reporting nearly 600 cases as of Thursday, the state agency reported. Oakland County, northwest of Detroit, has reported just under 400 cases.
Nearly 400 cases were also reported in Ingham County, home to the state capital Lansing and Michigan State University.
Kentucky
Kentucky is one of the states, along with Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, that is home to Taco Bell locations serving lettuce contaminated with the parasite, according to the CDC.
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So far, the Kentucky Department of Public Health has reported 108 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, seven of whom have been hospitalized. Louisville Public Media.
Jefferson County, home to Louisville, has the most cases, according to LPM.
illinois
Health officials reported 216 cases of cyclosporiasis, of which 18 were hospitalized. NewsNation local affiliate WGN.
St. Anthony Hospital infectious diseases specialist Dr. “When we look at the 200 cases in Illinois, this is the tip of the iceberg, because these are people seeking treatment. Many people who develop it either have mild symptoms or resolve on their own,” Alfredo Mane Lora told WGN.
indiana
Indiana reported 366 cases as of Friday, with Indianapolis and Fort Wayne counties leading with 40 cases. According to the Indiana Department of Health.
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Ohio
As of July 2, 171 cases were reported in the state, 28 of whom were hospitalized. Lucas County, which includes Toledo, was the region with the most cases, with 30 cases as of July 2.
Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff encouraged residents to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly earlier this month.
“Fortunately, there have been no deaths in Ohio, which is consistent with our past experience with this disease,” Vanderhoff said in a July 2 press release. “Still, this is a serious illness that can cause dehydration and require people to seek emergency medical care and needs to be taken seriously.”
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