Cyclospora outbreak surges past 1,700 cases across dozens of states, with Michigan the hardest hit. Should I be worried? [View all]

U.S. health officials are still investigating the source of an intestinal illness that causes "explosive" diarrhea and has now sickened more than 1,700 people confirmed nationwide, with at least 1,500 additional cases pending confirmation. The outbreak's largest cluster remains in Michigan.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal, stomach-churning illness caused by a parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water that contains the parasite. The symptoms of cyclosporiasis are similar to those of other food-borne illnesses like norovirus, E. coli or salmonella, except that cyclosporiasis "lasts longer and symptoms can get a little better and then they can come back," Dr. Jade Le, infectious diseases service line chief at Access TeleCare, told Yahoo.

Michigan has now confirmed more than 1,562 cases, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services, with at least 36 people hospitalized so far. To put the scale in perspective, Michigan typically records only about 50 cyclospora cases per year.

At least four other states have documented more than 100 cases in this recent outbreak. Ohio counties bordering southeast Michigan alone have tracked more than 500 cases, including 306 in Lucas County, according to CNN. New York has reported 394 confirmed cases since May, North Carolina has documented 110 cases, and Illinois local reports show around 150 cases.

https://health.yahoo.com/conditions/infectious/parasites/article/cyclospora-outbreak-surges-past-1700-cases-across-dozens-of-states-with-michigan-the-hardest-hit-should-i-be-worried-170436265.html