A total of 10,468 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed across 47 US states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is an increase of more than 3,700 cases since the CDC’s last report at the end of July, making it the largest known outbreak of the disease. According to the CDC, at least 12,255 additional cases have yet to be confirmed through testing, potentially pushing the total even higher. Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic infection that can contaminate fresh food or water and cause severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in those infected. The current outbreak has led to 517 hospitalizations and the first two known deaths linked to the disease, according to the CDC’s latest update. Both deaths occurred in Michigan, the hardest-hit state, where the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported more than 11,000 cases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing to investigate the sources of six cyclosporiasis outbreaks they believe may be occurring independently. The FDA previously linked one outbreak to iceberg lettuce produced by Taylor Farms in central Mexico, leading the company to recall the affected lettuce from restaurants and grocery stores.
