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Michigan has been investigating more than 572 cases of cyclosporiasis since June 22, far more than the usual 50 a year.
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By mid-June, the parasitic infection had sickened at least 145 people in 17 states and hospitalized 20 people nationwide.
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Cyclospora is spread through contaminated produce; wash hands and handle food safely to reduce risk
TUESDAY, July 7, 2026 (NewsDay News) – A parasite that causes severe, watery diarrhea is spreading across the United States, and Michigan health officials are scrambling to explain the unusual increase in cases.
Michigan’s boom grew rapidly. recorded 572 situations cyclosporiasis through July 4, 170 through June 30, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The state usually sees about 50 cases a year.
The latest outbreaks span seven counties in southeastern Michigan, and the source has not been identified. Officials urge anyone with symptoms to seek care.
Across the country, at least 145 According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in 17 states contracted cyclosporiasis between May 1 and June 16. These numbers do not include Michigan’s latest increase or updated numbers after June 16.
At least 20 people have been hospitalized, although no deaths have been reported. Those infected range in age from 5 to 86, the CDC said.
As of June 16, New York had the highest number of reported cases, followed by Illinois and Texas. NBC News “TODAY”. The CDC said the actual number of infections is likely higher because some people recover without seeing a doctor and are never tested.
Despite the clusters, there is no evidence of a single multi-state outbreak linking all the cases, the CDC said. The agency is working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local authorities to identify the source. None of the patients reported that they had traveled abroad before becoming ill.
Cyclosporiasis is caused by it CyclosporaThe microscopic parasite is spread through the fecal-oral route. This happens when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces. Human-to-human transmission is unlikely because it takes one to two weeks for the parasite to leave the body, the CDC said.
In the US, past booms have been associated with fresh produce such as basil, cilantro, raspberries and snow peas. Events tend to increase each spring and summer, usually peaking between May and August.
Infections have increased significantly in recent years; in 2019, the CDC identified 4,703 unusually high cases.
Symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure and may include loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever in addition to the characteristic “explosive” diarrhea. The illness can last from a few days to more than a month, and the symptoms can fade and come back in waves.
Most healthy people recover on their own, although the infection is often treated with antibiotics, the CDC said. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of prolonged illness and recurrence.
More information
For more information, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cyclosporiasis.
Sources: NBC News”Today,” 3 July 2026; US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 July 2026; Michigan Department of Health, 4 July 2026
What does this mean for you?
If you experience severe, watery diarrhea that won’t go away—especially after eating fresh produce—see a health care provider. Good food safety habits, such as washing produce and hands, reduce the chance of getting sick.
