Michigan cyclosporiasis case count now tops 2,600. Why CDC data is lagging
Michigan’s cyclosporiasis epidemicA gastrointestinal parasite that causes watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea reached a new threshold on Monday, July 13, rising by nearly 1,000 cases over the weekend.
Number of people got sick from a parasite The total since June 22 has reached 2,640, according to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services report. Other states are also reporting increasing outbreaks of the disease caused by a small, single-celled parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis, but none are seeing as many people getting sick as Michigan. Detroit Free PressIt is part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 843 cases nationally between May 1 and July 10, acknowledging that total cases are outpaced by case numbers in local and state health departments. Health experts have warned that previous cuts to food surveillance could hinder outbreak investigations.
“So far this year, many states have reported increases in cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025,” the CDC said. said on the cyclosporiasis surveillance website. “State and federal partners are working together to investigate several cyclosporiasis outbreaks. Investigations to identify sources of the disease are ongoing.”
Cyclospora is a protozoan parasite that is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope. People can become infected when they eat food or drink water contaminated with fecal matter.
In case you missed it: What is the CDC doing to stop the cyclosporiasis epidemic?
Dr. D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing. Rebecca Schein spoke briefly with the Detroit Free Press and said the parasite generally does not spread directly from person to person due to its life cycle. previous story.
Once passed through the poop of an infected person, it can take days to weeks for it to become infectious to another person who consumes food or water contaminated with contaminated feces.
The source of the outbreak has not been determined, and MDHHS said it continues to work with local health departments and other agencies on the investigation.
As of July 9, 44 people in Michigan reported being hospitalized for cyclosporiasis infections in this outbreak, the health department reported.
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This article was first published in the Detroit Free Press: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis case count has now surpassed 2,600. Why is CDC data delayed?
