Michigan health officials announced Tuesday that the number of cyclosporiasis cases tied to an ongoing outbreak has climbed to 3,309 — a jump of 669 cases from the previous day’s count.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the outbreak had resulted in 44 hospitalizations as of July 9. So far, no fatalities have been connected to the illness.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the cyclospora parasite. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the illness is typically contracted by eating raw fruits and vegetables, or by drinking water that has been contaminated with feces.
The infection can cause diarrhea, nausea, and a range of other gastrointestinal symptoms. Children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems face a greater risk of developing serious complications.
As of July 9, the CDC reported that 843 people across 31 states had been infected with the parasite, with 86 of those individuals hospitalized. At that point, the agency noted that more than 1,500 additional cases were still under review and awaiting confirmation.
The current outbreak, which began on May 1, is concentrated in Michigan, though Ohio and New York have also reported significant numbers of cases. Infections have been rising steadily across the country in recent months.
Federal health officials have not yet pinpointed the source of the contamination. Investigators are tracing foods connected to confirmed cases back through the supply chain — potentially all the way to the farm level — using genetic sequencing tools when necessary.
