Cases of Cyclospora, the diarrhea causing stomach bug, have now jumped to 12,000 in Michigan. Meanwhile, the federal health agency CDC confirmed that it expanded the outbreak to 6 new states.
Cyclospora Outbreak Update: Over 12,000 Cases of Stomach Bug Reported From Michigan
This afternoon, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shared a concerning update with regards to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak.
According to the MDHHS, cases of the parasitic stomach bug in Michigan have increased to 12, 218. This marks an increase of 710 cases as compared to the figures shared yesterday. 2 casualties have been reported, while over 193 people have been hospitalised due to the bug, which causes diarrhea like symptoms.
Within Michigan, the Wayne County has registered the highest amount of cases (1,625), followed closely by Oakland County (1,043 cases) and Washtenaw County (875 cases). The state continues to be the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak, which has surged since last month.
Cyclospora Outbreak Update: CDC Confirms Expansion of Outbreak
Yesterday, a report by American publication the Washington Post claimed that, health agency Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has broadened its cyclospora outbreak. Previously, the agency was only covering US states but now, it has added 6 states to the list, as cases emerge from different parts of the US. CDC officials have not commented on the report so far. Now, the agency has confirfmed the news which means that the updated Cyclospora outbreak is active in 15 US states.
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The disease spreads through indirect human to human transmission. And its symptoms commonly start to show a week after getting infected.
Cyclospora Outbreak Latest News: Symptoms & Treatment
The common symptoms of Cyclospora include
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Watery Diarrhea (The most common symptom often frequent and severe).
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Stomach Cramps that include Sharp pain, bloating, and increased gas
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Loss of Appetite
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Severe Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and muscle aches.
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Rapid weight loss.
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Nausea & Vomiting due to an upset stomach
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Low grade fever.
Cyclospora Outbreak Latest Update: Cause of the Outbreak
An official cause of the ongoing cyclospora outbreak has not been publicly disclosed. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) are conducting active probes to determine the stomach bug’s origin and cause. However, health officials in the US believe that the contamination of imported fresh produce of some foods like iceberg lettuce and shredded grains might be a major factor.
Cyclospora Outbreak: List of Affected Areas
The ongoing Cyclospora outbreak has affected the following American states according to the CDC:
- Michigan,
- Ohio,
- Illinois,
- Indiana
- Kansas,
- Kentucky,
- Pennsylvania,
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
