US Sees Spike In Cyclosporiasis Cases: What To Know About The ‘Explosive Diarrhoea’ Parasite
US Sees Spike In Cyclosporiasis Cases: What To Know About The ‘Explosive Diarrhoea’ Parasite Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 11:58 IST The parasite
US Sees Spike In Cyclosporiasis Cases: What To Know About The ‘Explosive Diarrhoea’ Parasite Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 11:58 IST The parasite cyclospora is usually linked to contaminated food or water and can cause weeks-long diarrhoeal illness if left untreated. Rapid Read The illness is rarely life-threatening, but it can be painful, exhausting and persistent if not treated in time. (Representative image) A growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the United States has prompted health officials to step up investigations after Michigan reported a sharp rise in cases, even as authorities continue to search for the source of the infections. CBS News, citing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), reported the state has now recorded 572 cases of cyclosporiasis, up from more than 300 reported just days earlier. The cases are concentrated in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston counties. Despite the surge, investigators have not identified the food item responsible for the outbreak. However, officials suspect the infections are linked to contaminated food, a pattern seen in previous Cyclospora outbreaks. The latest figures from Michigan come days after reports of infections in several other parts of the country. Earlier, more than 145 cases were recorded across at least 17 US states, with New York, Texas and Illinois among those reporting the highest numbers. Around 20 people have been hospitalised, while no deaths have been linked to the outbreak.
What Is Cyclosporiasis? Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that infects the small intestine. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infection “usually causes watery diarrhea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements." People become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Unlike many food-borne illnesses, Cyclospora is not usually spread directly from one person to another. The reason lies in the parasite’s life cycle. After being passed in human stool, Cyclospora needs several days or even weeks in the environment before it becomes capable of infecting another person. Why Are Investigators Looking At Fresh Produce? Although officials have not confirmed the source of the current outbreak, fresh produce has repeatedly been implicated in previous outbreaks in the US and Canada. According to Michigan health officials, foods linked to earlier outbreaks include bagged salad mixes and salad kits, fresh cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions. These products are often consumed raw, meaning the parasite may survive if contaminated produce is not adequately cleaned or cooked. Health authorities are therefore tracing food supply chains to determine where contamination may have occurred before the produce reached consumers. What Are The Symptoms? Symptoms generally appear about a week after a person consumes contaminated food or water, although the incubation period can range from two days to more than two weeks.
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