Nine states now have related cases of diarrheal illness caused by the microscopic cyclospora parasite, according to an official at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who asked not to be named because they weren’t authorized to share the information.

Cases have been reported across more than 40 states including Michigan, New York and Ohio

Some US states are facing a large and growing outbreak of diarrhea caused by cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh food or water.

More than 12,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across 40 states

Investigators believe additional states will help them better construct how cyclosporiasis moved through the nation's food supply.