Parasite outbreak reaches 2,800 in U.S., causes ‘explosive' diarrhea
July 13 (UPI) -- More than 2,800 cases of cyclospora infection have been reported, largely concentrated in Michigan, state health officials reported Monday.
Cyclospora is a parasite that is known to cause "explosive" and "watery diarrhea," stomach pains, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The outbreak comes about one year after the Trump administration cut funding to state and local health department programs focused on foodborne illnesses such as cyclosporiasis.
On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 843 confirmed cases and 1,500 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis across 31 states. There have been 86 hospitalizations, including 44 in Michigan, and no deaths.
"CDC is aware that states are likely to report higher case counts of cyclosporiasis than reflected in CDC data and is working closely with states to update numbers as additional cases are confirmed," the CDC said in a statement.
The largest concentration of cases has been in Michigan, where about 2,640 suspected cases have been reported. Neighboring Ohio has reported 177 cases. Neither state's health departments have identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, said the state's health department believes the outbreak is most likely related to produce.
As of Thursday, cases have been reported in 43 Michigan's 83 counties, including 215 in Monroe and 160 in Wayne County.
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 1:54 PM.