U.S. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Swells to Thousands of Cases Across More Than 40 States

Health officials report that the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak has surged to thousands of confirmed infections, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that 4,173 cases have been linked to the outbreak in 41 states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified five separate clusters under investigation, one of which is associated with lettuce from Taylor Farms. While the CDC notes that the majority of recent increases are coming from Michigan and Ohio, the outbreak now encompasses at least five states—Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky—according to federal data.

The Hill

State-level reports show dramatic spikes: Michigan alone has recorded 7,171 cases, more than 1,000 higher than the previous count reported just days earlier. North Carolina and Indiana have each surpassed 500 cases, and Kansas reports over 280. A Nexstar analysis of CDC and state health data finds that every state except nine—Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Vermont—has confirmed cases linked to the federal investigation. In total, health officials have documented more than 12,000 cyclosporiasis cases nationwide this year, far exceeding the typical seasonal totals of only a handful to a few dozen cases.

The Hill

The CDC emphasizes that many additional cases are likely unreported because symptoms can be serious yet not always require hospitalization, and some individuals may forgo testing. The FDA continues to probe the five clusters, maintaining that the investigation remains active. State health departments have clarified isolated incidents, such as a traveler diagnosed with cyclosporiasis who did not acquire the infection in Hawaii, underscoring the complexity of tracing sources.

The Hill

Cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection, is usually reported between May and August, with states like Michigan averaging about 50 confirmed cases annually. In 47 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City, the disease is classified as a nationally notifiable condition, obligating health authorities to report each case to federal agencies.

The Hill

Officials warn that the true case count may be higher than current estimates due to underreporting. The widespread nature of the outbreak across the majority of the nation highlights challenges in food-borne illness surveillance and the importance of coordinated federal and state responses to contain further spread.

The Hill