Cyclosporiasis Cases Reported In 31 States—As Over 1,500 Infected In Michigan

Topline

Cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness that causes diarrhea, have hit 31 states as of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in an update Friday, extending the number of impacted states amid concerns the agency reportedly discontinued monitoring the illness last year.

The CDC said 843 cases were reported by 31 states since May 1, noting states are likely to report higher case counts than what is reported in its data.

The CDC added it is aware of over 1,500 cases that require “further analysis to confirm the illness as domestically acquired cyclosporiasis.”

State and federal investigators have yet to find the source of several outbreaks, the CDC reported, adding investigations are ongoing.

Cyclospora, the parasite behind cyclosporiasis, was removed from required monitoring under the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network last year, according to NBC News, which noted 10 states participated in the federal program.

The CDC did not provide comment when asked about the removal of cyclospora from the monitoring list, instead referring Forbes to its surveillance data.