Michigan Explosive Diarrhea Cases Triple In 5 Days

Michigan's Cyclosporiasis outbreak has caught the attention of People magazine:

https://people.com/cyclospora-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-michigan-outbreak-cyclosporiasis-12012408

Michigan’s Outbreak of ‘Explosive’ Diarrhea Reaches 572 Cases as Parasitic Source Remains Unknown
The number of cyclosporiasis cases has tripled in just a few days

By Cara Lynn Shultz - July 6, 2026

NEED TO KNOW

• Michigan has reported 572 cases of cyclosporiasis, more than triple the number reported just days earlier
• The CDC says the parasite spreads through contaminated food or water and can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• Health officials recommend washing produce thoroughly and cooking certain foods to reduce the risk of infection

Michigan health officials are recommending residents take precautions to avoid the spread of a parasite that’s sickened people in at least 18 states, with hundreds infected in the Great Lakes State alone.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported at least 572 cyclosporiasis cases on July 4 — more than triple the 170 infections that had been reported on June 30. But the real number of cases is “likely higher,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said, “because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora,” adding that the only way to diagnose the illness is by testing someone’s stool.

The parasite infects the small intestine, causing “watery diarrhea” and “frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” the CDC says.

The symptoms are as unpleasant as how the infection is acquired: by eating or drinking food contaminated with feces that contains the parasite. The youngest person infected in this outbreak is 5 years old, the CDC says, with the oldest being 86.

“Local, state, and federal (CDC, FDA) public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state. Investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing,” the CDC says, but no definitive causes of the outbreaks have been identified yet. However, the agency’s website on the current outbreak does not mention Michigan and has not included any outbreaks past June 16. Its most recent data says that people in at least 17 other states have been sickened.

Because no cause of the outbreak has yet been identified, Michigan health officials are urging anyone, but especially those in commercial kitchens “who are preparing, processing, or serving raw produce” to take steps to avoid the parasite. Specific types of produce were singled out, given their links to previous outbreaks of Cyclospora.

Instead of using pre-washed or bagged lettuce, “buy whole heads of lettuce … throw away the outer 2–3 layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water. For leafy greens that can be cooked, cooking is the safest option,” MDHHS advises.

The herbs cilantro and basil were singled out, with officials saying to wash them “thoroughly under running water, separating the leaves.”

The outer layer of green onions should be removed, and the vegetable is “safest when cooked.”

Raspberries are “especially hard to clean” given their “bumpy surface,” so officials advise frozen raspberries, which may “reduce but does not guarantee elimination of the parasite.”

Snow peas should be washed under running water while rubbing the surface, and cooking the vegetables is advised.

All utensils and cutting boards should be washed and sanitized before, and after, preparing food.

Although cyclosporiasis is not usually fatal, symptoms can return — and in younger or older people, or those with weakened immune systems, can cause dehydration. Per the CDC’s data, at least 20 people have been hospitalized due to illness from the parasite.

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan have now quadrupled, to over 700 cases:

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-over-700-cases/

Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak nearly quadruples in a week, reaching over 700 cases, 38 hospitalizations
By Paula Wethington - July 7, 2026

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it has received more than 700 reports of cyclosporiasis since June 22, with 38 of those patients needing hospital treatment.

The outbreak of the gastrointestinal illness became public in late June, when the Monroe County Health Department reported it was investigating a cluster of cases.

The number of confirmed cases has grown quickly:

• By June 30, there were 170 cases confirmed in Michigan.
• By July 3, there were 400.
• By July 4, there were 572.
• By July 6, there were 680.

Most of the cases have been in southeast Michigan, specifically Monroe County. But multiple cases were soon reported in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Oakland, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Michigan usually averages about 50 cases a year.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes the diarrheal illness cyclosporiasis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the most common symptoms are frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Some people also experience body aches, headache or vomiting.

"Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer," the CDC says.

The CDC says 17 states have also reported outbreaks since early May, including Illinois, New York and Texas.

What's causing the outbreak?

Health officials said they have not determined the cause or causes of the recent burst in cases, whether that be a supplier, grower or type of produce.

But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says previous outbreaks in the United States and Canada were linked to bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions.

Given the trends, state health officials recommend that restaurants and commercial kitchens in southeast Michigan take additional precautions with fresh produce, including washing it under clean running water and cooking it when possible.

Tips to prevent cyclosporiasis

Health officials shared the following tips for avoiding the illness:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, under running water, before cutting, cooking or eating.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a produce brush when cleaning.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas of produce before preparing and eating.
• Refrigerate any cut, peeled or cooked produce within two hours of preparing it.