Michigan is reporting more than 400 new Cyclospora infections overnight.
As of today, Michigan’s state health department had counted 3,762 patients compared to 3,309 confirmed patients on July 14. Those state officials reported on July 13 that they believe lettuce and/or salad mixes are the source of the parasite, but they said there is no single grower, supplier or brand identified yet.
Public health officials have not weighed in on why there are so many infections this year.
The parasitic infections hit outbreak status in June, with patient counts greatly exceeding previous years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on July 14 that it had counted 843 confirmed patients in 34 states, with 5,100 more suspected patients. By this time in 2025 the CDC had counted 249 confirmed patients.
The rise in confirmed cases points to more than one outbreak, said Donald Prater, DVM, the FDA’s acting Deputy Commissioner for Food, during a briefing. “I think we’re looking at multiple clusters and subclusters.”
One such cluster includes Michigan along with New York and Ohio, which are each reporting several hundred confirmed patients.
The Food and Drug Administration is tracking five outbreaks of infections, but its numbers are drastically lower than numbers from states or the CDC. For one of the outbreaks the FDA is referencing the CDC investigation. For the other four the agency is reporting eight, 18, two and eight patients, respectively. The FDA outbreak update on July 15 says it has initiated traceback efforts, but it does not say what food or foods are being traced.
CNN is reporting that an internal email at the CDC said the Food and Drug Administration’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation network is running traceback on cilantro, white and green onions, and cucumbers for a set of cases — in Illinois, New York City, New York State, Pennsylvania, and Texas — that appear to be linked to Mexican-style restaurants, a grocery chain and a catered event.
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.
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.
Symptoms can last for a month or more.
Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections.
