U.S. cyclosporiasis cases top 15,700
More than 15,700 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the United States since May as a large outbreak linked to processed iceberg lettuce continues to drive a historic increase, according to federal health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday that 15,716 laboratory-confirmed cases acquired in the United States were reported between May 1 and Aug. 17. That is an increase of 1,821 cases since the agency’s previous update a week earlier.
At least 828 patients have been hospitalized, up 88 from last week, while the death toll remains at two. Another 11,841 cases may require further investigation and analysis, an increase of 1,386.
By comparison, only 1,180 cases were reported nationwide between May 1 and Aug. 31 last year.
The CDC is investigating multiple clusters of cases, including a large multistate outbreak linked to processed iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. The agency said the lettuce outbreak has contributed significantly to this year’s increase, though not all cases have been connected to the product.
Michigan has reported 13,909 cases, an increase of 1,424 since last week. At least 314 Michigan patients have been hospitalized, up 35, and both deaths reported nationwide occurred in the state.
Michigan health officials said both patients who died had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration. Both became ill before the voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce was announced on July 17.
Cases have been reported in 47 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
