Explosive diarrhea parasite cases rise by thousands, now in 45 states - USA Today

What the report says

USA Today reported that cyclosporiasis cases have continued to rise across the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listing 6,707 laboratory-confirmed infections since May 1 in an update issued July 28. The illness, caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, had been reported in 45 states, up from 41 the prior week, according to the report. The CDC also recorded 423 hospitalizations and no deaths.

The article said the federal count does not include more than 11,500 additional suspected or not-yet-lab-confirmed cases, mainly in Michigan and Ohio. Michigan separately reported more than 10,000 cases by July 29, but USA Today noted that state and federal totals can differ because of confirmation and reporting delays. The CDC count applies to lab-confirmed cases in people who became ill on or after May 1 and had not traveled internationally shortly before symptoms began.

Federal investigators are examining what they believe are multiple outbreaks. USA Today reported that the largest, centered in Michigan, has been linked by the Food and Drug Administration to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico, leading the company to begin a recall on July 17. Confirmed illnesses tied to that lettuce outbreak have been identified in nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Cyclosporiasis is commonly associated with contaminated food or water and can cause watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, bloating, cramps and fever. USA Today noted that true infections are likely higher than official totals because some people recover without testing, and that tracing the source can be difficult because of incubation and sampling challenges.