MICHIGAN: Michigan health officials reported 4,312 cases of cyclosporiasis on Thursday, an increase of 550 from a day earlier, as investigators continued efforts to identify the source of the unusually large outbreak of the intestinal illness.
The outbreak has led to 102 hospitalizations in the state as of Thursday, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic intestinal infection that can be contracted by consuming food — typically raw fruits and vegetables — or water contaminated with feces and causes diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
While the US has experienced outbreaks before, the scale and geographic spread of this year’s outbreak are significantly larger, prompting concern among health officials.
The current outbreak, which began on May 1, is centered in Michigan, with Ohio and New York also reporting high numbers of cases.
