The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a new outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, with at least 72 cases reported. The source of this specific outbreak has not yet been identified.
This new cluster of cases contributes to a broader surge in cyclosporiasis nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been approximately 11,500 cases across 41 states. This year has seen six distinct outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a threefold increase compared to the entirety of last year, which recorded fewer than 150 confirmed cases.
Earlier this week, the CDC identified a potential link among cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The overall increase in cases highlights a significant public health concern regarding the parasite's transmission.