Michigan is reporting 550 more cases of infections from the cyclospora parasite overnight. That brings the total for the state to 4,312.
By this time of year, Michigan usually has 40 to 50 confirmed cases of confirmed cyclospora infections. So far this year the state has seen 102 people hospitalized. The main symptom of the infections is severe diarrhea, which can easily cause serious dehydration.
“While the investigation is ongoing, available information indicates that lettuce or salad greens may be a potential source of this outbreak. However, other food items cannot be completely ruled out. No specific type of produce, grower, or supplier has been identified as the source,” according to an update today from the Michigan health department.
One media outlet is reporting that Taylor Farms — a large producer of leafy greens and packaged salads — is part of the investigation and assisting the Food and Drug Administration with traceback efforts. The FDA has not reported what food or foods it is tracing.
Michigan is part of a nationwide outbreak of infections from the microscopic parasite. New York public health officials are reporting 517 patients and Ohio is reporting 1,192 patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are patients in 34 states with more than one outbreak likely in play.
Dr. Aaron Glatt, the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, New York, and a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said the outbreak is most likely much larger than the officials numbers suggest.
"It probably represents a little bit of the tip of the iceberg," Glatt told USA TODAY Network New York. "Many people aren't sick enough to even seek out their doctor. Some of them are just self-treating. And only a percentage, a small percentage, of the total are actually getting identified, diagnosed and treated.”
Numbers from the CDC are lagging behind state reports because the agency stopped tracking cyclospora infections and seven other types of foodborne pathogens beginning July 1, 2025. As of this July 14, the CDC had counted 843 confirmed patients, with 5,100 more suspected patients. By this time in 2025 the CDC had counted 249 confirmed Cyclospora patients.
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite. Symptoms can last longer than a month.
Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery and often explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it's rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections.
