Lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis linked to a U.S. outbreak have reached 1,645, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure represents an increase of more than 800 cases since the agency's previous update just one week prior.
As of July 13, cases have been reported in 34 states, resulting in 141 hospitalizations. No deaths have been associated with the current outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food, typically raw fruits and vegetables, or water. The CDC noted that the current outbreak, which began on May 1, is disproportionately affecting Michigan, with Ohio and New York also reporting a high number of cases.
Health officials have expressed concern over the scale and geographic spread of this year's outbreak, which they deem significantly larger than previous occurrences. The CDC cautioned that there is an approximate six-week delay between illness onset and case reporting, indicating that more infections are likely to be identified as data is collected.
The agency is also reviewing over 5,100 additional cases that are pending further confirmation. U.S. health officials have not yet identified the specific source of the contamination and are working to trace implicated foods through the supply chain, potentially back to the farm level. Genetic sequencing is being employed where necessary in this investigation.