US CDC Warns of 6,707 Cyclospora Infections Nationwide

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 6,707 cases of Cyclospora infection across 45 states since May 1. The agency is currently testing an additional 11,500 individuals, with Michigan and Ohio showing the highest prevalence of cases.

Of the confirmed patients, 423 have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The age range of infected individuals spans from 1 to 98 years, with the median age being 44. The CDC noted that 56% of those infected are women.

The infections are primarily linked to food consumed within the United States, with no reported international travel in the 14 days prior to symptom onset. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness characterized by diarrhea and abdominal pain. The CDC has designated May 1 to August 31 as a period for intensive investigation of Cyclospora cases due to the typical surge in infections during spring and summer.