US Cyclospora outbreak tops 7,000 cases in Michigan alone
Why it matters: The parasite has spread across 41 states, prompting retailers and restaurant chains to pull lettuce as investigators search for the source.
A record US outbreak of cyclosporiasis has infected thousands of people across 41 states, with Michigan reporting more than 7,000 cases, the highest total in the country. In Monroe County alone, 286 infections have been documented in a population of about 154,000. The illness is caused by ingesting the cyclospora parasite and can bring severe stomach cramps and persistent diarrhea. The outbreak was first detected May 13, but officials still have not pinned down a definitive source. Major retailers and restaurant chains, including Walmart, Jack in the Box and Taco Bell, have removed some food items, with iceberg lettuce a primary focus as public concern grows.