Michigan is seeing a sharp rise in cases of a parasite known to cause severe diarrhea, with reported infections climbing to 681 as of Monday — nearly four times the 170 cases recorded in the state less than a week earlier.
Based on the latest available figures, Michigan is currently the hardest-hit state by a wide margin.
New York, Illinois and Texas have also reported notable case counts, ranging from 11 to 80 infections, according to CDC data, which is current only through mid-June. Michigan’s state-level reporting, however, includes more recent numbers.
Some people infected with the parasite may have no symptoms, but more severe cases can bring watery, “explosive” diarrhea, the CDC says.
Cyclosporiasis is most often linked to contaminated food, particularly fresh produce, but health officials have not yet identified a specific source tied to the current outbreak.
Diagnosing the illness can also be challenging. Detecting cyclosporiasis requires specialized laboratory testing for Cyclospora, which is not typically included in routine stool testing. That means some infections may be going unrecognized.
What is cycloporiasis?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite commonly spread through drinking water or raw produce — such as basil, cilantro and lettuce — that has been contaminated with fecal matter.
Although the parasite is known to spread through raw foods, officials have not determined which product, if any, is responsible. The CDC says cases have not been connected to a single common source, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The cyclospora parasite causes cyclosporiasis, which can cause diarrhea, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Normally, this isn’t life-threatening. But severe diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, which is dangerous if left untreated, especially in young children, older adults, and people who are immunocompromised.
Alaska, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida were also reporting cases in June.
ALSO READ: Unveiling the Dark Truth: PhD Student's Shocking Confession in Friend's Baby Murder Case
In the CDC’s June 16 report, 145 cases were reported across 17 states — Michigan wasn’t even on the map at the time. The CDC says all the people who got sick in the US and none traveled recently. 20 were hospitalized. No deaths had been reported.
What to know about cycloporiasis
Cristy Cooper, 51, spoke to The Post from the hospital about getting infected. “This is worse than like any flu I’ve ever gotten or anything, it’s just so…it’s miserable. I’m worn out from it. I really am,” she said.
Her first symptom was what she called “unbearable” diarrhea, which began on June 25. Over the next two days, she developed excessive gas, fatigue, acute vomiting, nausea and painful cramping and had a fever of 100.2 degrees — all symptoms of cyclosporiasis.
At its worst, she was using the toilet no less than 30 times a day.
Cooper is a dialysis patient and is immunocompromised, which made treatment tricky. Most people with healthy immune systems eventually recover from cyclosporiasis without treatment by resting, staying hydrated and eating what they can tolerate.
Cooper’s fluid intake had to be carefully controlled as excess fluid could cause complications like high blood pressure and heart strain.
Cyclospora takes one to two weeks outside the body to become infectious after passing into feces. That’s why it’s very unlikely to be passing from person to person.
Treatment usually involves an sulfa-based antibiotic. She received an antibiotic regimen and is on the mend.
Cyclosporiasis is known to sometimes improve after antibiotics and come back with a vengeance. It happens when the first round of meds don’t completely wipe out the parasite, allowing them to grow and trigger another infection.
Here’s how to best reduce your risk of getting cycloporiasis.
- Cook greens whenever possible. Wash all fresh produce under running water and get into nooks and crannies where microbes can hide.
