Overview
- Public-health officials have reported dozens to hundreds of cases across at least 17 states with Michigan showing the largest cluster after a rapid surge beginning June 22.
- Federal and state teams from the CDC and FDA are interviewing patients, reviewing purchase records, and tracing supply chains for fresh produce such as cilantro, onions, cucumbers, salad mixes and berries.
- Investigators say no single food or national source has been confirmed because Cyclospora's life cycle and genetic variability make DNA-based traceback less reliable than for bacteria.
- Clinicians are urged to test for Cyclospora in people with watery diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours and to treat confirmed cases with rehydration and the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
- The outbreak highlights a seasonal risk with fresh produce and recreational water and could prompt stricter inspection and reporting efforts as investigators continue time-consuming epidemiologic work.