MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WNEM) — State health officials are investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal parasite illness, after identifying more than 170 cases in just over a week. Investigators have not yet determined the source.
Every summer, Michigan sees a handful of cases of the illness. This year’s spike has drawn concern as case counts continue to climb, including seven reported in Shiawassee County.
What the illness does
Cyclosporiasis can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea. Symptoms can appear days after a person eats contaminated food or drinks contaminated water.
“This is not unique, I would say,” said Dr. Nicholas Haddad, CMU infectious disease specialist. “Yes, there are more cases maybe than expected. But I will say, every year in the U.S. there are between four and 40 outbreaks.”
Why tracing the source is difficult
Officials say a two-week gap between exposure and the onset of symptoms makes it harder for investigators to pinpoint where people were infected…