Cyclosporiasis cases rise in several states as FDA investigates
NBC News reported illnesses in five states, with most cases centered in southeastern Michigan and no source yet identified.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
2 min read
Cases of cyclosporiasis are increasing across several U.S. states, NBC News reported July 7. The illness is often linked to contaminated produce, but the Food and Drug Administration said investigators have not yet identified the source.
NBC News reported that most known cases are concentrated in southeastern Michigan. Illnesses have also been reported in Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and New Jersey, according to the report.
What officials know
The FDA said an investigation is underway, NBC News reported. No specific food, farm, distributor or retailer has been publicly identified in connection with the illnesses, according to the information reported by NBC News.
NBC News described cyclosporiasis as an illness associated with a pathogen that can be tied to contaminated produce. The report said the illnesses are fast-moving and can cause severe diarrhea.
The known cluster spans multiple states, but the reported cases are not evenly distributed. NBC News said southeastern Michigan accounts for the largest share mentioned in the report, while the other illnesses have been reported in four additional states.
What remains unclear
The FDA has not announced a cause, according to NBC News. The report did not identify how the patients may have been exposed, when the illnesses began, or whether investigators believe the cases are connected to one product or more than one source.
NBC News also did not report a case count, hospitalizations or deaths. Without those details, the scale of the increase remains unclear beyond the states named in the report and the FDA’s confirmation that its inquiry continues.
Produce-related outbreaks can be difficult to trace because fresh foods often move quickly through stores, restaurants and homes. In this case, NBC News reported only that contaminated produce is a common route for cyclosporiasis and that officials have not identified what is behind the current illnesses.
States named in the report
- Michigan, with most cases centered in the southeastern part of the state, according to NBC News.
- Ohio, where illnesses have also been reported, according to NBC News.
- North Carolina, where illnesses have also been reported, according to NBC News.
- Illinois, where illnesses have also been reported, according to NBC News.
- New Jersey, where illnesses have also been reported, according to NBC News.
The FDA’s ongoing investigation is the main official action identified in the report. Until investigators name a source, the public record remains limited to the states affected and the agency’s statement that it is looking into the rise in cases.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.