Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan climb to over 4,000, state health officials say

July 16 (Reuters) – Michigan health officials reported 4,312 cases of cyclosporiasis on Thursday, an increase of 550 from a day earlier, as investigators continued efforts to identify the source of the unusually large outbreak of the intestinal illness.

The outbreak has led to 102 hospitalizations in the state as of Thursday, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Here are some details:

• Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic intestinal infection that can be contracted by consuming food – typically raw fruits and vegetables – or water contaminated with feces and causes diarrhea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

• While the U.S. has experienced outbreaks before, the ⁠scale and geographic spread of this year’s outbreak are significantly larger, prompting concern among health officials.

• The current outbreak, ​which began on May 1, is centered ​in Michigan, ⁠with Ohio and New York also reporting high numbers of cases.

• No deaths have been reported from the outbreak, but 141 people have been hospitalized and labs have confirmed 1,645 cases across 34 states since May, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s last update on Wednesday. It was also investigating 5,100 possible cases.

• Michigan health officials had identified lettuce as a potential source, but no specific type of produce, ​grower or supplier has been linked to the outbreak.

• The Food and Drug Administration is conducting traceback investigations on multiple produce items, including lettuce, to try to determine ⁠the source of the outbreak.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru)