Michigan Cyclospora Outbreak Grows Across Seven Counties With 157 Cases

Doctors and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, are concerned there is a parasitic illness working its way through Michigan.

There's an active investigation looking into the potential source of what they're saying is a “large and growing outbreak” of cases of Cyclospora cayetanensis, or Cyclospora. This is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, which spreads by food or water that has been contaminated with feces.

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There have already been 7 confirmed cases 7 in Jackson, 33 in Lenawee, 7 in Livingston, 70 in Monroe, 7 in Shiawassee, 21 in Washtenaw, and 12 in Wayne counties.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, released a statement clarifying that this upswing of confirmed cases is nationwide, not just in Michigan:

Based on the unusual number of cases we have identified in a little over a week, we anticipate additional cases of illness being reported. We recommend Michiganders contact their health care provider if they experience sudden, ongoing diarrhea and reach out to their local health department if additional members of their family are suffering from the same symptoms.

Local 4 reports that an infection can cause moderate to severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as frequent diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, nausea, and low-grade fever.

It's obviously something you want to be cautious about, but as long as you wash your veggies and fruits, as well as herbs like cilantro and basil, in purified water and with vinegar, and make sure your hands are washed with soap and water before handling food, you should be ok.