Thousands of people have fallen ill with a parasitic infection causing explosive diarrhea across 31 U.S. states [1, 2].
This outbreak is significant because the parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes severe symptoms that can last for several weeks [1, 3]. The rapid expansion of cases across multiple states suggests a widespread contamination source in the food or water supply.
Health officials are currently investigating the cause of the surge. The parasite typically spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, a process that often occurs on farms [3].
Michigan has emerged as the hardest-hit state in the outbreak [2, 4]. Reports indicate the state has seen between 1,000 [5] and 1,251 cases [4].
The spread continues to accelerate throughout the summer months. As of this week, 13 new states have reported infections [2].
Cyclospora infections are particularly challenging because the parasite is often resistant to certain drugs [1]. This resistance can complicate treatment for those suffering from the violent gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the illness.
“Thousands of people have fallen ill”
The scale of this outbreak, spanning 31 states, indicates a failure in the safety chain of a widely distributed agricultural product. Because Cyclospora is often linked to produce grown in regions with poor sanitation, the geographic spread suggests a commercial distribution network is moving contaminated goods into the U.S. market, necessitating a rigorous trace-back investigation to prevent further infections.
