Is it incompetence, stupidity, or malice?
Michigan now has 1,251 cases of
cyclosporiasis, according to state officials today, more than doubling the case
count reported over the July 4 weekend. Typically, Michigan reports around 50
cases per year, but during the last week of June state officials first noted an
outbreak of 170 cases that has since skyrocketed.
Of the 1,251 patients, 44 have been hospitalized, according
to the case count.
In Ohio counties that border southeast Michigan, officials
are tracking more than 500 cases, including 306 in Lucas County, the Associated
Press reports. In an
update yesterday, however, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) confirmed only
177 cases statewide as of July 2, with 28 people hospitalized.
Most cases have occurred since June 20, the ODH said.
Officials tell restaurants to wash produce
carefully
No source has been identified in the outbreaks, but the
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) is now recommending
enhanced washing procedures for “restaurants, commercial kitchens, and other
entities preparing or serving raw produce in Southeast Michigan.”
The recommendations include careful washing of lettuce,
herbs, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas, all foods associated with
past Cyclospora outbreaks.
“Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but
dehydration from frequent bouts of diarrhea can cause severe illness,
particularly among younger or older people and those who have weakened immune
systems,” the MDHHS said. “The
time between being exposed and becoming sick is usually about one week but can
range from two days to two weeks or more. Untreated, the illness may last from
a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may go away and then return.”
Surveillance has been optional for 1 year
While it may seem as though Michigan is the epicenter of
US Cyclospora activity, true case counts are unknown. As
of July 1, 2025, FoodNet, the main foodborne illness surveillance arm
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), made tracking Cyclospora optional.
Currently state health departments are required to survey
for just two pathogens: Salmonella and Shiga
toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which cause the
largest foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States. Some states,
including Michigan, have maintained Cyclospora surveillance.
And the CDC is not keeping up with national data on recent
outbreaks. The agency last posted an update on activity on July 1, which lists
only 145 cases nationwide through June 16, with 20 hospitalizations.
